Abstract
Most art history textbooks treat 'Trajan's Column' by concentrating on the details of the amazing helical frieze which envelopes the monument. In this paper I want initially to support those scholars who argue that the problems involved in viewing the frieze in detail were probably insurmountable in ancient times, so that we should re-evaluate our conventional approach. Next, the aim is to reassess the Column's functions as one way of approaching the meanings it would have had for individual viewers. Finally, I would like to make a few points about the Column as a symbol of Trajan's relationship with the Senate and People of Rome, and as a symbol of Roman power for later generations.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 28-68 |
Number of pages | 41 |
Journal | Ancient history : resources for teachers |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2001 |