Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The column's relief unfolds like a scroll, telling the story of Trajan's conquest of Da-
cia (modern-day Romania). It starts at the bottom (the half with the pedestal) with a trickle
of water that becomes a river and soon picks up boats full of supplies. Then come the sol-
diers themselves, who spill out from the gates of the city. A river god surfaces to bless
the journey. Along the way (second band), they build roads and forts to sustain the vast
enterprise. Trajan himself (fourth band, in military skirt with toga over his arm) mounts a
podium to fire up the troops. They hop into a Roman galley (fifth band) and head off to
fight the valiant Dacians in the middle of a forest (eighth band). Finally, at the very top,
the Romans hold a sacrifice to give thanks for the victory, while the captured armor is dis-
played on the pedestal.
Originally, the entire story was painted in bright colors. If you unwound the scroll,
it would stretch the length of two football fields—it's far longer than the frieze around
Athens' Parthenon.
• Near Trajan's column, find several casts of knights and ladies on their backs, staring at
the ceiling (in faded hues of red, gold, and blue). Some of these (near where you entered,
top row, far end) are the...
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