THE TRAJAN'S COLUMN IN ROME
These amazing bas relief copperplate engravings are drawn from the Trajan Column in Rome, Italy. The Trajan’s Column is one of the finest, most impressive triumphal monuments ever built and is one of the most complete works carved in stone (marble) that the Antiquity has left to the world.
The monument was erected between 106 -113AD by the Roman Emperor of the time, Trajan. Today, the column survives intact in the ruins of the Trajan’s Forum in Rome.
Trajan’s Column was built as a triumphal column built in Rome, Italy and commemorates Roman Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars which were 2 military campaigns (101 -102 and 105-106) between the Roman Empire and Dacia. The conflicts were triggered by the constant Dacian threat on the Danubian Province of Moesia in the Balkans and the need for increasing resources for the economy of the Roman Empire.
It is thought that the monument was constructed under the supervision of the architect, Apollodorus at the order of the Roman Senate. It is located in Trajan’s Forum built near the Quirinal Hill north of the Roman Forum. It was completed in 113AD. This freestanding column is most famous for its spiral bas relief which artistically represents the wars. The design of Trajan’s Column has inspired numerous victory columns both ancient and modern.
The structure is 35m high and its shaft is made from 20 colossal carrara marble drums. The 190m frieze winds around the column 23 times.
The engravings of the column were executed by Pietro Santi Bartoli (1635 -1700). He was an Italian engraver, illustrator and painter who eventually dedicated his life to engraving.
Scaffolding was erected around the column to enable the work to be done. It is hard to imagine the portly Santo climbing the scaffolding for months and months exploring and drawing then painstakingly copying to paper before the engravings were done. Such a huge undertaking.
