Trajan's Column, Victory monument in Trajan's Forum, Rome, Italy.
Trajan's Column is a monument of marble in the Forum of Trajan in Rome, Italy. The shaft rises on a heavy base and carries a continuous spiral relief that winds upward, showing scenes from military campaigns across its carved surface.
Emperor Trajan ordered the monument built between 107 and 113 to mark his victories over the Dacians. In the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V replaced the original statue at the top with a bronze figure of Saint Peter.
The reliefs show Roman soldiers marching, building bridges, and fortifying camps, letting visitors see how ancient armies operated in the field. Figures appear in motion across the carved surface, creating a narrative that flows upward and captures the effort of campaigning through changing terrain.
Visitors can observe the monument from ground level in the Forum of Trajan, with the clearest view of the lower reliefs found close to the base. Binoculars help when studying the higher scenes, as the spiral staircase inside is not open to the public.
The base originally held a chamber where the emperor's ashes rested in a golden urn. This made the monument not only a symbol of victory but also the burial place of Trajan himself.
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