Architecture of the
HIGH ROMA EMPIRE
Trajan’s Forum & the Pantheon
Propaganda: HW
 Throughout history art and architecture has been used
as propaganda to shape public opinion.
 Select and identify two Roman works that were used to
shape public opinion. Citing specific elements in each
work, analyze how each work conveyed its
porpagandistic message to its intended audience
Who was Trajan? What is a
forum?

Trajan, optimus, was the first non-Italian Emperor. Expanded the empire and took on
further responsibility for caring for citizens

The PAX ROMANA meant unprecedented prosperity for all who came under Roman
Rule

Roman government recognized that the standard of excellence in either a law or a work
of art was the greatest good for the greatest number

Art became truly public – bridges, baths, theaters, public exhibitions in squares and
public artworks geared at the masses

Art also served the state – praising the virtues and deeds of the emperors

A FORUM is a large public space within the city that would include libraries,
temples, a large open area for congregating and an adjoining market place.

The new forum glorified Trajan’s victories against the Dacians – which paid for for
his building program in Rome
THE BUILDING PLAN
What are the facts? (F)
Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus
Patron: Emperor Trajan
Title: The Forum of Trajan
Date: 112 CE
Period/Style: High Empire
Size: NA
Findspot: Rome
How is space visually
organized? (FA)
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Central axis, proportional and
symmetrical
Each building is unified with the next
to create a flowing and fully
integrated space
Enter through the grand archway
facing the emperor’s equestrian
statue.
Directly across the courtyard in the
entrance to the Basilica Ulipia – hall
of justice
Apses housed law courts
The basilica leads to Trajan’s
column, which is flanked by libraries
Directly behind it is his temple
Why Was It Created? What is
its function?
 The elements of a public space
and how it is put together or
arranged often times reveals the
social and political purposes of a
space.
 Analyze how one would move
through this space. Why did he
create this space in this specific
manner, and what social and
political functions or messages
did it serve?
Public Artworks of the Forum
 Throughout history, art in a wide variety of
media has been situated in outdoor public
spaces to convey meaning to specific
audiences
 What is the message of the public artworks in
the Forum? How do the artworks and their
placement convey this meaning to their specific
audience.
Column of
Trajan
What are the facts? (F)
Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus
Patron: Emperor Trajan
Title: The Column of Trajan
Date: 112 CE
Period/Style: High Empire
Size: 128 ft tall. 625 foot band running
around the column
Findspot: Rome
Materials / Technique
Bas relief, carved marble
Subjetc Matter
Narrative commemorating Trajan’s
victories over the Dacians
How is the subject matter
visually represented /
presented? (FA)
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Placed between the Forum libraries,
the column’s continuous narrative
unfolds like a papyrus scroll – to be
read in continuous succession
Each scene is differentiated by the
appearance of Trajan – who is
portrayed as a bold and steady force
who is always in command
The artist uses a system of simplified
symbols to add additional information
such a rivers and mountains to the
scene
Action-filled story telling was the
focus – appealing to the masses who
attended gladiator competitions
Heroic nude statue of Trajan
originally at the very top
TRAJAN ASSEMBLING TROOPS
WHY WAS IT CREATED?
• HISTORICAL EVENTS: The Roman defeat of
the Dacians. It took two military campaigns to
victory ensure and reinforced the Roman’s
intolerance for uprising and challenge
• CONCEPTS AND IDEAS: Rome lead to victory
over the Dacians by the calm, organized army
lead by the steady rule of their emperor –
ROMANS WON BECAUSE OF ORGANIZED
POWER NOT DIVINITY OR SUPERIORITY
• Function: Educational and entertainment of the
masses. Through the vsual reading of the
artwork they could place themselves in the
campaig. Trajan chose the monument as the
site of his burial – his ashes are in a
chamber below the column. FUNERAY
OBJECT and POLITICAL PROPAGANDA
PUBLIC ARTWORKS
 Throughout history, art in a wide variety of media has
been situated in outdoor public spaces to convey
meaning to specific audiences
 What is the message of the public artworks in the
Forum? How do the artworks and their placement
convey this meaning to their specific audience.
Temple of Trajan & Antiquarianism
 Antiquarianism is the concern with things old and rare
 The libraries in the Forum housed Rome’s vast collection of books and
other cultural records from their conquests
 How is the style of Trajan’s temple an example of Antiquarianism?
Maison Carree, Nimes Frace 10 CE