Trajan's Forum

Trajan's Forum (Latin: Forum Traiani) is chronologically the last of the Imperial fora of Rome. The forum was constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus.

History

This forum was constructed on the order of Emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106. The Fasti Ostiensi (see Fasti) 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 valley occupied by the Imperial forums 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, Caesar's Forum (where the Basilica Argentaria was built), and the Temple of Venus Genetrix were renovated.

Structure

The Forum was built from a vast stoa-lined piazza measuring 660 by 390 feet (200 x 120 m) with exedrae on two sides. The main entrance to the forum is on the southern side, a triumphal arch surmounted by a statue of Trajan in a six-horse chariot. The Basilica Ulpia lies at the north end of the piazza, which was cobbled with rectangular blocks of white marble and decorated by a large equestrian statue of Trajan. On either side of the piazza are markets, also housed by the exedrae.

North of the Basilica was a smaller piazza, with a temple dedicated to the deified Trajan on the far north side facing inwards. Directly north of the Basilica Ulpia on either side of the forum were two libraries, one housing Latin documents and the other Greek documents. Between the libraries was the 125-foot (38 m) Trajan's Column.

In the mid-4th century, Constantius II, while visiting Rome, was amazed by the huge equestrian statue of Trajan and by the surrounding buildings:

But when he came to the Forum of Trajan, a construction unique under the heavens, as we believe, and admirable even in the unanimous opinion of the gods, he stood fast in amazement, turning his attention to the gigantic complex about him, beggaring description and never again to be imitated by mortal men. (Ammianus XVI 14 http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Ammian/16*.html)

The imperial visit and the landmarks of the forum were described by historian Ammianus Marcellinus.

In modern times only a section of the markets and the column of Trajan remain. A number of columns which historically formed the Basilica Ulpia remained on site, and have been re-erected. The construction of the Via dei Fori Imperiali in 1933 covered a number of these columns, which remain visible under the arches on which the road runs.

Post-Roman history

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

Bibliography

  • James Packer. Trajan’s Forum: A Study of the Monuments. University of California Press, 1997.
  • James Packer Il Foro Di Traiano a Roma Breve Studio dei Monumenti. Edizioni Quasar 2001 (also in English).

See also

  • Imperial fora
  • Roman architecture
  • List of Roman domes

Martin G. Conde, Rome - Forum of Trajan: Excavations, Discoveries & Restorations (1995–2009). Part. 1 - Educational & Visual Documentation.[1]

Martin G. Conde, Rome - Forum of Trajan: Excavations, Discoveries & Restoration Work (1995–2009). Part. 2 - Temple of Trajan (?) / Palazzo Valentini Excavations & Exhibit (2005–2009).[2]

Martin G. Conde, Rome - Forum of Trajan: Excavations, Discoveries & Restoration Work (1995–2009). Part. 3 - Alda Fendi Foundation / F. of Trajan / Basilica Ulpia Restorations (2003–2007).[3]

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
UHNWI
23 December 2016
Ideal for night walks. Read about it you will learn and enjoy
Italy Rome Tour Exclusive Guided Tours
Is more than just a lot of colums. I suggest to' go inside from via 4 novembre amazing to' see how well preserve everything is from the 2nd century ad
Kapt’n Koko
7 May 2018
If you’re going to buy art from the artists around the area, make sure you sit and watch them create before committing to a sale. Do pay artists prices for printshop work.
Amit Gaharwar
5 October 2015
Amazingly grand and beautiful. Awesome views in the night. Spend some time in the night imagining the grandeur of Roman Empire.
Lidia M
21 February 2016
Meraviglioso sito archeologico nel cuore di Roma... Dalla terrazza del Belvedere c'è una strepitosa vista sui Fori Imperiali
Mahmut Enes Kayaalp
13 September 2017
Burada düzenlenen bir projeksiyon gösterisi var. Trojan kolonunu, bir roma hamamı ve evini açıklıyorlar. Romapass geçiyor. Webden değil gidip yer ayırın. Ayrıca Trojan forumunu dışardan gezin. Kaçmaz.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.8/10
EnMork and 17,929 more people have been here

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Hotel Best Roma

starting $463

Hotel Infinito

starting $75

Daniela Hotel

starting $66

Espana Hotel

starting $88

Shiva B&B

starting $64

B&B Manzoni Holidays

starting $94

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Trajan's Market

Trajan's Market (Latin: Mercatus Traiani, Italian: Mercati di Traiano)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Torre delle Milizie

The Torre delle Milizie ('Tower of the Milices') is a tower in Rome,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Trajan's Column

Trajan's Column is a monument in Rome raised in honour of the Roman

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Forum of Augustus

The Forum of Augustus is one of the Imperial forums of Rome, built by

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II

The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sant'Agata dei Goti

Sant'Agata dei Goti is a church in Rome dedicated to the martyr Saint

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Piazza Venezia

The Piazza Venezia is a piazza in central Rome, Italy. It takes its

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Santi Apostoli

The Basilica dei Santi Apostoli is a 6th century basilica in Rome,

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Theodosius Cistern

The Theodosius Cistern (greek: Κινστέρνα Θεοδοσίου, turk: Şerefiye Sa

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sardis

Sardis, also Sardes (Lydian: Sfard, Greek: Σάρδεις, Persian: سارد S

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Antakya

Antakya (العربية. انطاكية, Anṭākyä; Ελληνικά. Ἀντιόχε

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Zile

Zile, also known as Zela, is a city and a district of Tokat Province,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pula Arena

The Pula Arena is the name of the amphitheatre located in Pula,

See all similar places