|
|
 |
|
Trajan's Column and Forum: Immortality and Memory |
|
written
by shivali / 09.06.2005 |
|
|
| |
Introduction |
| |
| |
|
| www.moyak.com/.../resume/ papers/roman_art.html |
| Column of Trajan |
| The Column of Trajan currently stands in the heart of Rome. |
| |
|
After two successful wars against the Dacians, the Emperor Trajan presented the Roman people with a grand reward- the Forum of Trajan and the Column of Trajan. Built from 112-113 CE, the Forum and Column are an enduring example of military propaganda and artistic achievement which remain in the heart of present-day Rome. The Forum offered the Roman people new facilities in which to conduct business and legal affairs. The Column, which stands in the middle of the Forum, is covered with scenes depicting Trajan's account of the two glorious wars fought against the Dacians from 101- 106 CE.
Emperor Trajan was born Marcus Ulpius Nerva Trajanus in 53 CE in Spain. Because the previous Emperor, Nerva, was extremely unpopular with the soldiers, he chose Trajan as his adoptive son and heir. Trajan, at the time, was well known for his military skill and valor. With Nerva's adoption of Trajan began the Roman tradition of “succession by adoption.” Later Emperors "used sucession by adoption" to name the heirs to the throne. Trajan's rule was marked by peace and prosperity for the Romans; he freed slaves and returned property that had been seized by Nerva. Furthermore, Trajan expanded the Roman Empire with a series of conquests, most notably the Dacian Wars. During his reign, Trajan brought Rome to its greatest size.
Through Trajan's Forum and the Column of Trajan, Trajan hoped to commemorate his victories in the two Dacian Wars. Before Trajan came into power, Nerva had been removing gold from the gold coins used for the Roman currency, which destabilized the economy. Rome's neighbor, Dacia, located in current-day Romania was known to be rich with gold mines. It was the perfect opportunity for Trajan, an able solider, to aid the Roman economy while displaying his military abilities. In 101 C.E, Rome invaded Dacia with blessings from the Senate. As the Roman soldiers moved into the interior of Dacia, they built forts and bridges as well burning down Dacian villages. At the Battle of Tapea in 102 C.E, the Dacians were forced to surrender. King Decebalus was allowed to stay in Dacia to guarantee gold production for the Romans. However, by 105 C.E, the Dacians had reorganized under King Decebalus. During the second Dacian War, the Romans suffered higher causalities and the war lasted longer. The decisive Roman assault occurred in the Dacian capitol of Sarmizegethusa; the city was burned to the ground and King Decebalus committed suicide rather than be humiliated by the Romans. Dacia was incorporated into the Roman Empire with Romans leaving the walled-city to colonize the new territory. Upon returning to Rome, Trajan ordered 123 days of celebration and Dacian riches of gold, bronze, and marble were marched into the city. With the war spoils, Trajan financed the building of his Forum and the Column.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
