Trajan's Forum
Categories: Ancient Roman architecture | Monuments and sights of Rome
Trajan's Forum (Forum Traiani) is chronologically the last of the Imperial forums of Rome.
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History
The forum was built on the order of Emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106. The Fasti Ostiensi states that the Forum was inaugurated in 112, while Trajan's Column was inaugurated in 113.
To build this monumental complex, extensive excavations were required: workers eliminated the sides of the Quirinal and Capitoline (Campidoglio) hills which closed the Imperial forums valley toward the Campus Martius.
It is possible that the excavations were initiated under Emperor Domitian, while the project of the Forum was completely attributed to the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, who also accompanied Emperor Trajan in the Dacian campaign.
During the time of the construction, several other projects took place: the Markets of Trajan were constructed, and Caesar's Forum (where the Basilica Argentaria was built) and the Temple of Mother Venus (Venus Genetrix) were renovated.
Structure
The Forum was built from a vast piazza with porches on two sides, with the Basilica Ulpia at one end, and decorated by a large equestrian statue of Trajan. The piazza was cobbled with rectangular blocks of white marble.
Post-Roman history
The Trajan Forum continued to be used after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the mid-4th century, Constantine II, while visiting Rome, was amazed by the huge equestrian statue of Trajan and by the surrounding buildings. In the mid-9th century, the marble cobble blocks of the piazza were systematically taken for re-use, because of the good quality of the lime. At the same time, the pavement was restored in wrought as a sign that the piazza was still in use as a public space.
References
- Bertoldi, M. E., Ricerche sulla decorazione architettonica del Foro Traiano, Roma 1962
- Meneghini, R. - Messa, L. - Ungaro, L., Il Foro di Traiano, Roma 1990
- Packer, J.E., The Forum of Trajan in Rome, Los Angeles - Oxford, 1997
External links
fr:Forum de Trajan it:Foro di Traiano pl:Forum Trajana nn:Trajans forum sv:Trajanus forum