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Forum of TrajanForum of Trajan (reconstruction drawing) © John Burge and James Packer

Forum of Trajan

Rome, Italy. Apollodorus of Damascus. Forum and markets: 106–112 C.E.; Column completed 113 C.E. Brick and concrete (architecture); marble (column).

Curator Note

"Paid for by the spoils of the Dacian Wars. It included a massive multi-story market complex (the first shopping mall) and a 125-foot column that tells the story of the war like a continuous film scroll."

Form

  • Massive architectural complex using an Axial Plan.
  • Basilica Ulpia: Huge hypostyle hall with apses on ends and clerestory lighting.
  • Trajan's Column: 125-foot marble column with a continuous spiral frieze (625 feet long).
  • Markets of Trajan: Multi-level commercial complex built into the hillside using concrete groin vaults.
  • Decorative use of exotic marbles (yellow, purple) to show the reach of the empire.

Function

  • Civic and Commercial Center: Law courts, libraries, shrines, and shops.
  • Propaganda: Glorifies Emperor Trajan's victory over the Dacians (Romania).
  • Burial Chamber: Trajan's ashes were placed in the base of the column (unusual for inside city).
  • Public Space: Provided amenities and grandeur for the Roman citizens.
  • Markets served as a distribution center for food and goods.

Content

  • Column Frize: Detailed narrative of the two Dacian wars (logistics, marching, building, fighting).
  • Trajan appears 58 times, always leading or overseeing.
  • Statue of Trajan (now St. Peter) originally topped the column.
  • Libraries: One for Greek scrolls, one for Latin scrolls, flanking the column.
  • Equestrian Statue of Trajan in the center of the forum courtyard (now lost).

Context

  • High Imperial Rome (c. 106–112 C.E.): The empire reached its greatest geographic extent.
  • Designed by Apollodorus of Damascus, Trajan's chief military engineer.
  • Paid for by the immense gold and silver loot from Dacia.
  • Trajan was known as "Optimus Princeps" (Best Emperor).
  • The markets are often called the "first shopping mall" in history.