Trajan's Column, Ancient monumental column at Imperial Forums, Rome, Italy.
Trajan's Column is a tall marble monument standing at the center of Trajan's Forum, covered from bottom to top with detailed carved images arranged in a spiral pattern. The scenes depict military campaigns and soldiers in various situations.
The monument was built in the early 2nd century to honor a major military victory. It was one of the most important monuments of its time and showed how Romans documented their greatest events.
The spiral carvings show Roman soldiers at work and in battle, marching, fighting, and using their equipment in daily scenes. Looking at these images, visitors can see how a Roman soldier's life actually functioned.
The monument stands in the center of the forum and can be viewed free of charge from outside, with the spiral details visible from various angles. Access to the internal staircase is limited and requires special permission.
Inside, a tight spiral staircase with roughly 180 steps leads upward, an innovative feature rarely seen in this form in Roman buildings. This hidden staircase construction demonstrates the engineering skill of the time.
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