Column of Phocas, Victory column in Roman Forum, Italy
The Column of Phocas is a standalone monument in the Roman Forum featuring a tall shaft of Corinthian marble rising from a large cubic base. The column is decorated with fluted grooves and rises above the surrounding ruins of the ancient square.
The monument was erected in 608 by the Byzantine exarch Smaragdus to honor Emperor Phocas, who had previously granted the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV. This occurred during a period when Rome was under Byzantine control and the ancient civilization was approaching its end.
The Latin inscription on the base honors Emperor Phocas and thanks him for his generosity during his reign. It shows how people at that time expressed respect for their rulers through carved words.
The monument stands outdoors in the center of the Roman Forum and can be visited during the Forum's opening hours. Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended, as exploring the site involves walking across considerable distances.
This was the final public structure built in the Roman Forum, marking the end of a building tradition that had lasted over a thousand years. After this column was erected, no further construction took place in this sacred space.
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