Temple of Trajan, Roman temple ruins in Imperial Forums, Italy
The Temple of Trajan sits within the Forum of Trajan complex, distinguished by massive granite columns topped with white marble capitals standing over two meters tall. Only fragments of the original structure remain today, including column pieces and foundation elements that hint at its former grandeur.
Emperor Hadrian commissioned this temple between 125 and 138 AD to honor his predecessor Trajan and his wife Plotina following their deification by the Senate. The structure was built as part of a larger complex dedicated to honoring the deceased ruler.
The temple served as a focal point for imperial worship, showing how Romans honored deceased rulers through formal religious practices. Visitors came here to pay respects to the deified emperor and his wife.
The temple's remains are located near Trajan's Column within the Forum area and are accessible to visitors exploring the site. Its key inscriptions are preserved in the Vatican Museums, where interested visitors can examine them.
Among all the buildings Hadrian commissioned, this was the only one where he chose to inscribe his own name alongside that of the honored emperor. This act of naming himself on such a monument was unusual restraint for such a powerful ruler.
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