Trajan’s Column: A Triumph of Roman Art and Architecture
The Theater of Marcellus
The Theater of Marcellus, a partially preserved theater in ancient Rome, stands as a testament to Roman architectural prowess. Commissioned by Julius Caesar and completed by Augustus between 13-11 BC, it was dedicated to Augustus’ nephew, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, who tragically died in 23 BC. Located in the Campus Martius, the theater hosted the renowned ludi saeculares in 17 BC, even before its completion.
With a cavea (seating area) measuring 129.80 meters in diameter, the theater could accommodate an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators, making it the second largest in Rome after Pompey’s Theater. The stage, now lost to time, featured a 37-foot diameter choir space and was flanked by two apse rooms, remnants of which still stand. Behind the stage lay a large semicircular area adorned with two small temples.
The theater’s construction utilized travertine quarried near Tivoli, the same material used for the Colosseum. Its facade, like the Colosseum’s arcades, showcases superimposed classical orders: the Doric (Tuscan) order at the base and the Ionic order above.
Over the centuries, the theater suffered damage from fire, conflict, and neglect. It was used as a quarry, and by the 4th century AD, it lay abandoned. In the 12th century, it was fortified, preventing further destruction. The Savelli family occupied the building in the 13th century, and it later passed into the hands of the Orsini family in the 18th century. The Renaissance palace gracing the third floor of the auditorium’s exterior is attributed to architect Baldassarre Peruzzi.
The Theater of Marcellus, as we see it today, is a testament to the meticulous restoration and preservation efforts carried out between 1926 and 1932.
Trajan’s Column
Classification:
Trajan’s Column, a sculptural and architectural masterpiece, was erected in 113 AD in the Roman Forum, nestled between two libraries.
Analysis of Materials:
The column is primarily constructed of marble. Its intricate scenes, originally topped with a bronze statue of Emperor Trajan (later replaced with a statue of St. Peter), narrate historical events. A golden urn containing Trajan’s ashes was placed at the base. The column remains remarkably well-preserved.
Formal Analysis:
Trajan’s Column stands as both a remarkable sculpture and a significant architectural achievement. The 200-meter-long sculptural frieze, depicting Emperor Trajan’s victories in the Dacian Wars (101-106 AD), winds its way up the column’s height. Architecturally, the column itself symbolizes the Roman state and its institutions, with the emperor, like the column, serving as a pillar of strength.
The 38-meter-high column, equivalent to 100 Roman feet (hence the term “Centennial”), boasts a shaft width ranging from 1.20 to 1.40 meters. The intricate frieze, featuring over 2,500 figures, unfolds across its surface.
The column rests on a cubic pedestal adorned with depictions of weapons (shields, swords, daggers, helmets) and a large bull decorated with plant motifs. Above the pedestal rises the massive shaft, composed of 17 drums, culminating in a capital featuring a horse and an abacus.
Technical Analysis:
The column’s narrative unfolds through detailed bas-reliefs, incorporating figures, landscapes (trees, buildings), and even elements of perspective. The shallow relief creates a sense of depth and dimensionality.
The reliefs primarily depict scenes from the Dacian Wars, showcasing battles, sieges, prisoner sacrifices, military marches, and the presence of Emperor Trajan. Trajan, depicted larger than other figures, is a recurring theme, often shown in military attire, leading troops, or conducting sacrifices, always accompanied by his Praetorian Guard.
The historical scenes are interwoven with mythological and allegorical elements, adding layers of meaning to the narrative. One notable scene depicts the suicide of Decebalus, the Dacian king, who chose death over capture.
Composition:
The composition of the frieze is remarkably dense, adhering to the principle of horror vacui (fear of empty space). Scenes flow seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous narrative that unfolds chronologically. The only break in this flow is the appearance of a Winged Victory, marking the division between the two Dacian Wars.
The scenes are presented from a bird’s-eye perspective, with background figures appearing at different levels to create depth. This traditional Roman approach to perspective, combined with the naturalistic depiction of figures and landscapes, enhances the realism of the narrative.
Historical Approach:
The end of Trajan’s Column was to tell the story of limp and commemorate wars, perpetuate, the victory achieved there. This column, with all his sculpture, it becomes the glorification of power and pride the exploits of the Emperor Trajan, so it is a commemorative architecture taken with a symbolism: As the column is supported by the architecture, Emperor is the support of the Roman State.