Transcript Statue of Trajan on Horseback Temple to the Divine Trajan Trajan`s

EMPEROR OF THE DAY:
TRAJAN
Reign: 98 - 117AD
Achievements:
- Second of the “Five good emperors”
- Extended the Roman empire to its greatest land
area, by conquering Dacia
TRAJAN’S
COLUMN
112-113AD
Made of Parian Marble
In Trajan’s Forum,
Rome
Architect: Apollodorus
of Damascus
Column+Pedestal = 38m
Built to commemorate
Trajan’s victories over
the Dacians in
102+106AD and as a
tomb to hold his ashes
62m
TRAJAN’S FORUM
Temple to the
Divine Trajan
The Column
A Great Hall
(Basilica)
Trajan’s Markets
Statue of Trajan
on Horseback
Triumphant Archway,
similar to the Arch of
Titus
Telling the Story – Narrative Techniques
Story of two
campaigns is told
in 200m spiral
relief with 23
bands.
Story is punctuated
with figure of
Victory at the end
of each campaign
Spiral band
provides
continuous
narrative up the
column
Statue of St Peter
(was Trajan)
Bands and figures
increase in height
further up the
column for easier
reading
Subject Matter
Level 4: Trajan receives
Dacian embassies
(messengers)
Level 3: Roman cavalry
and infantry set out from
camp.
Level 2: Construction
of a Roman Camp
(Trajan supervises)
Level 1: Trajan leads two
columns across a pontoon
bridge, with the god of the
Danube watching them .
Narrative Techniques
Perspective is unusual –
background is 3D,
foreground figures
consistently ‘flat’
Narrative Techniques
Many figures are
symbolic. Eg. A tree can
represent a forest.
Narrative Techniques
Colour would have been
used, as well as metal
fittings
Narrative Techniques
The Emperor Trajan:
- appears in numerous
scenes
- is the only
recognisable figure
- is often on a higher
level to other figures
- is slightly larger than
other figures
For example, spot Trajan in this scene….
Decebalus
Things to look for:
1. Depth
2. Movement
3. Pose
4. Drapery
5. Mood
Stylistic Features
Things to look for:
1. Depth
2. Movement
3. Pose
4. Drapery
5. Mood
Stylistic Features