View Page: Trajan's Column and Forum: Immortality and Memory

	Trajan's Column and Forum: Immortality and Memory
	written by shivali / 09.06.2005

Section Six

6 of 7

Personal Observations

http://gate.cia.edu/cbergengren/arthistory/rome/small/image70asm.jpg

The Frieze of Trajan's Column

Pictures do no justice to the intricate details of the frieze that encircles the Column of Trajan. Though I had seen various depictions of the carvings, nothing compared to standing before the Column itself. It is an amazing work of art for each detail of each scene to the very top of the Column is carefully carved. I was astounded by the artistic skill it displays. Also, I now appreciate the details of artistic meaning and intent. I was surprised to learn about the Column's interactive qualities. It was ingenious of Trajan to build a monument that so successfully requires each of its viewers to remember his reign and the glory of the Roman Empire under his rule. It is impossible to understand the frieze without such information. To view the frieze requires encircling the Column. In doing so, each viewer participating gives Trajan the immortality he craved. Imagine almost two centuries later, a group of Honors students from Seattle has a fuller appreciate of Trajan's life and triumphs. Because of this, Trajan's Column is a successful tribute to Trajan's life and memory.

<< Section Five

[ View All Pages ] [ Back to top ]

Section Seven >>