La Trajan's column we can find it in Rome. As we well know, it is a commemorative monument. The truth is that when we visit the area where it is located, it leads us to think of another civilization, in numerous stories and also legends that we cannot stop imagining.
Well, Trajan's column really has much more than being a simple monument. Hence, today we wanted to bring it a little closer, so that you can discover in first person everything it has to offer us. Let's look back in time!
Where is Trajan's column located?
It must be said that Trajan's column was completed in the year 113 and that it was raised by order of Trajan. An emperor who from the year 98 and until his death in the year 117 ruled Rome, taking it to the top. In other words, he had a period of splendor with him. Since you are assigned the construction of large public buildings.
In this case, its main monument was built in Trajan's Forum, which was built thanks to the spoils of war. As its name suggests, it was also another of its best-known constructions. It is one of the largest places in Rome, as it has the square, the Basilica Ulpia, as well as the column and also the Trajan temple. This place is very close to the well-known Quirinal. That it is none other than a mountain or hill, a tribute to the Quirino God.
His story
We are facing a column that is more than 30 meters high and not counting its pedestal. So we are talking about one of the great points of Rome. But that's not all, it hides a long story told in relief. Since the column does not have a smooth finish, quite the opposite. In her Trajan's victories are commemorated. It is made up of a total of 18 marble blocks. Weighing 40 tons, each of them.
At first, it was crowned by a statue of a bird. Some time later, one of the emperor himself was placed. Although Pope Sixtus V, commanded place a statue of Saint Peter. Hence, all this is part of its history. Of course, it was the emperor himself who wanted to make a kind of narration of each of his battles against the Dacians. That is why if we are in front of the column, its entire history is presented to us in a very meticulous way and to take into account.
The meaning of its reliefs
As we are commenting, it is not a simple monument, which may have more or less importance. Trajan's column has it and a lot. Not only for being one of those that still stands and in good condition, but for everything he has to tell. Among its reliefs we can see numerous pieces that are part of a life and a well-told story. Specifically, two victories are narrated against the Dacians. The first one is in the lower half, while the second is in the upper half.
To separate one from another, you can observe the personification of Nike, the victory. Among all the scenes that we have represented, there are also some that show a metaphorical part. You can see what life was like in the camp, how they built the aqueduct or how they raided a city. For example, Trajano appears 59 times carved in a very realistic way. The truth is that all this has an important cultural value. Since it is a way of getting closer to the army, the soldiers and also their weapons or way of acting.
The inscription on the pedestal
In the part of the pedestal there is also an inscription, which comes to say something like an explanation that the column is as high as the mountain that was in its place. The good thing about this roman inscription is that it is made in capital letters and squares. A style that was only used in epigraphy. They were geometric letters, that is, they had geometric shapes such as the square or the circle. They are usually read from the bottom, for this reason, the lower letters are of a smaller size.
Interior of Trajan's column
It is true that in this case, it is not treated like other monuments that we find in Rome. Some of which, for a small fee, we can enter and let ourselves be carried away by its unique interiors. In this case, it must be said that it has a hollow interior, in which there is a spiral staircase, with about 185 steps. This leads to the highest part of the building. From which you can get unbeatable views. But it must be said that for this, you have to obtain a kind of permission that is not usually granted just like that. So we are going to stay with the desire and continue enjoying its reliefs.