Trajan's Column

Trajan's Column is an enormous freestanding column finished in 113 AD and located in Trajan's forum in the heart of Rome. The column was built in the time of roman general and later emperor Trajan who was most notably remembered for his military success. The column is famous for the story that it tells starting at the bottom and spiraling up to the statue of what in 113 AD would have been Trajan but in present day is Saint Peter. The story is that of Trajan’s conquest of the Dacian people who are easily recognizable on the column as the figures with beards. Hidden in the interior of the column is a spiral staircase which would have been used most likely to service the column or statue on top in ancient time. The column would have been surrounded previously by an immense library and common place that would have allowed people to view the column and witness the story from every angle and level. This column is one of many other obelisks throughout Rome and shows how the roman people liked to commemorate those who had been successful and powerful. These obelisks also show the things that romans valued, one of which, clearly depicted in Trajan’s column, is

success in battle and war.