Relief: Collection of Heads from Trajan Column

myminifactory

Trajan's Column stands proudly in Rome, Italy, as a magnificent triumphal column honoring Roman Emperor Trajan's triumphant victory in the Dacian Wars. Constructed under the watchful eye of renowned architect Apollodorus of Damascus, it was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate the epic battles between the Romans and Dacians (101-102 and 105-106). Situated within Trajan's Forum, built near the Quirinal Hill just north of the Roman Forum, this freestanding column is an architectural masterpiece completed in AD 113. Its spiral bas relief has inspired numerous victory columns across history, both ancient and modern. The relief vividly depicts Trajan's two successful military campaigns against the Dacians, showcasing scenes of battle as a mere backdrop to emphasize images of disciplined soldiers carrying out ceremonial duties and construction projects. The relief is a carefully curated collection of soldiers' portraits, likely intended to highlight the intricate details of the column. Plaster casts taken in the 19th and 20th centuries have remarkably preserved the relief's legibility, with some details now more visible than on the original site due to acid pollution over the years.