How to see Trajan\'s column?

[Wander]

I often marvel at the excellent work on Trajan's column that I see in the books -- it's an amazing resource, as primary documentation goes. What I wonder is this:

If the carvings spiral all the way to the top, how do people see -- or photograph -- the ones higher up? And how did the Romans expect to see them? Levitate?

Also, is there a good book out there that shows the full extent of the carvings?

Thanks!

[D B Campbell]

Try this thread for information on books and web sites on Trajan's Column.

[Wander]

Thanks, Duncan -- that's most of what I was looking for.

Of course, I'm still wondering how the Romans managed to appreciate the whole thing -- but at least we can.

[LCorneliusScaeva]

Of course, I'm still wondering how the Romans managed to appreciate the whole thing -- but at least we can.

I think I read somewhere that back in the day the column was in the center of a kind of courtyard with multi-story buildings around it. To see the top of the column you would go to the upper floors of one of the surrounding buildings. Of course, I might be remember it incorrectly.

[Paullus Scipio]

That is correct - the Column was surrounded on two sides by the Library of Trajan and on the other sides by other buildings of Basilica Traiani/ Trajan's forum, though the top stood clear..... it was in the centre, more or less, of the complex.

[Wander]

Thank you both. It makes a lot more sense that way.

[Lothia]

Ave Civitas,

There is a plaster cast model of the column, section by section, for close scrutiny, in the museum in Bucharest, Romania.

I have a series of photos that I took of the sections while I was there.

If you are really interested in seeing all the carvings up close, I recommend that.

Tom

[sulla felix]

There are also casts in the Museum of Roman Civilisation at EUR in Rome. They were taken prior to the alarming deterioration of the real thing caused by modern pollution. I Thoroughly recommend a visit if at all possible.

[P. Clodius Secundus]

J.N.C. Coulston has a book coming out "All the Emperor's Men" about the column and it's degreee of accuracy concerning the soldiers equipment. It was due for publication and June 30th but there seems to have been a delay. My copy is still on backorder. I am patiently waiting.

[D B Campbell]

There are also casts in the Museum of Roman Civilisation at EUR in Rome.

The third set of casts is in the V&A in London. But last time I visited, they were in a very poorly lit gallery.

[Caratacus]

The third set of casts is in the V&A in London. But last time I visited, they were in a very poorly lit gallery.

It's not just poorly lit - because you can't get up near the top part, it's impossible to see it clearly - it just disappears upwards into the gloom. If I remember correctly, it's displayed in two sections.

Caratacus
(Mike Thomas)

[D B Campbell]

If I remember correctly, it's displayed in two sections.

Three, I think -- although it's been a long time since I visited! From memory, there's a gallery that maybe you can get permission to go onto?

[Caratacus]

OK, three it is (it's at least 10 years since I was last there). I do remember that permission to use the gallery was not forthcoming when I enquired! Something about "we can't find the key", if I remember correctly (which translates into "No", or "we can't be bothered" or, maybe, "we can't find the key".)

I, too, am looking foreward to Jon Coulson's book on the column - particularly how it relates to the actual equipment that is displayed thereon - such a treatment is long overdue in the light of what we now know of actual artefacts.

Caratacus
(Mike Thomas)