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  1. Seuso Research Project
  2. Trajan’s Column
Detail of the relief decorating Trajan’s Column (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Detail of the relief decorating Trajan’s Column (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Roman Empire
113 A.D.

Trajan’s Column

Trajan’s Column stood next to emperor Trajan’s (98-117) forum. It not only commemorated the emperor’s victory in the Dacian wars, but also served as a tomb for Trajan and his wife – their remains were placed in two gold urns in the pedestal of the column. Since the 16th century a statue of St. Peter has stood on the top of the column standing 128 Roman feet (38.4 metres) tall, but the gilded statue of Trajan wearing military clothes was originally placed on the top. A spiral staircase carved inside the column leads to the balcony underneath the statue. The pedestal was decorated with spoils of war – Dacian weapons, armour and four eagles captured in the battles – and a victorious laurel wreath was carved between the pedestal and the column. Nevertheless, the most impressive element of the monument is the series of reliefs which spiral upwards and cover the entire surface of the column. The reliefs present the history of the first and second Dacian wars (101–102 and 105–106). The scenes of 200 metres in length not only portrayed battles, but also other events: marching army, imperial oration, negotiations with the Dacians and offering sacrifices.

  • Reign of Emperor Augustus

    Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
    Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta
  • “Corinthian bronze”jug and bowl with handle, Egyed

  • Roman wall paintings

  • The Conquest of Pannonia

  • Colosseum

  • Reign of Emperor Trajan

    Trajan’s Column
  • Reign of Emperor Hadrian

    Pantheon
  • Reign of Marcus Aurelius

    Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
    Bronze portrait of Marcus Aurelius, Lugio
  • The Severan dynasty: the golden age of Pannonia

    Wall paintings from Brigetio
    Hercules mosaic, Aquincum
    Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi
  • Ivory statue of Autumn (Autumnus), Savaria

  • The age of the soldier emperors

    Statue of Nemesis from the governor’s palace, Aquincum
  • Silver augur staff, Brigetio

  • Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy

    Statue of the tetrarchs of Venice
    The Gold Coffin by Ferenc Móra
  • Reign of Emperor Constantine I (the Great)

    Mosaics of the Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina
    The triumphal arch of Constantine
    The Colossus of Constantine I
    Colossal bronze statue of Constantine I
  • Foundation of Constantinople

  • Reign of Emperor Constantius II.

    Heidentor, Carnuntum
    The Kaiseraugst treasure
  • Helmet of March 15 Square, Budapest Castellum contra Teutanum

  • Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó

  • Reign of Emperor Julian

  • Reign of Emperor Valentinian I

  • Battle of Hadrianopolis

  • Barbarian incursions into Pannonia

    The Kőszárhegy quadripus
  • I. (The Great) Theodosius and his co-emperors

    Obelisk of Theodosius
    Gilded bronze bust of Valentinian II, Sopianae (?)
  • Fragment of glass vessel with gold foil decoration, Intercisa

  • Painted Early Christian burial chambers, Sopianae

  • Ivory diptychs

  • Sack of Rome

  • Giving up the territory of Pannonia

    Late Roman luxury villa, Nagyharsány
    The Beremend bronze plaque
  • Dethronement of Romulus Augustulus

  • Mosaics of Ravenna

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