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Early scholarship has regarded Trajan’s Column as an exclusive record of the two successful campaigns of the Dacian Wars (101-106 A.D).(1) The events on the column’s frieze are presented chronologically with night, weather, and seasons also hinted at.(2) However, recent scholarship has contrastingly argued that the frieze is not a reliable chronological account of the Dacian Wars(3), one argument being that early scholarship failed to recognise the symbolism of the individual scenes and perhaps any degree of editing.(4) Another theory argues that the monument was intended to emphasise the Trajanic epic by a careful selection of scenes chosen from a synthesis of imperial virtues while stressing the artistic and thematic considerations affecting the composition and design of the column.(5)

Trajan's Column has also been regarded as a propaganda monument glorifying the virtus Traiani, as many scenes are included purely for ideological-symbolical character.(6) The reliefs are viewed as typical campaign activities opposed to mirror-image events.(7) The sculptured frieze on Trajan’s Column appears to follow the conventions of commemorative art which the Romans widely employed.(8) The column’s political program was developed by the emphatic repetition of the Roman army, multiple appearances of Trajan and his officers, and by the numinous qualities of his presence.(9) Such dramatic constructs are believed to lead to the consequent erosion of historical content.(10)

As a central design feature Trajan is seen from every vantage point commanding the campaigns (pictured below).(11) History has been transformed into epic romance through the interruption of the story line to focus on the emperor and his illustrious career.(12) Therefore, the general consensus is that the frieze does not resemble real-life events but depicts ideological, thematic, and dramatic scenes and is therefore not reliable.

Trajan in command: The emperor observes troops setting fire to a settlement: Trajan centered with aides on his left and right.

'As a central design feature Trajan is seen from every vantage point commanding the campaigns.'

Scene 25 on Trajan's Column.

Image Source: Carole Raddato via Wikimedia Commons

This bust of Trajan from the Louvre illustrates the similarities between his portraiture and his depiction above in Scene 25 from Trajan's Column.

Image Source: Marie-Lan Nguyen via Wikimedia Commons

This statue of Trajan at Xanten depicts the emperor in military dress which is similar to how he is depicted in Scene 25 on Trajan's Column.

Image Source: Thomas Ihle via Wikimedia Commons

(1) Brilliant 1984: 90; Hannestad 1986: 158; Kleiner 2010: 159; Thill 2010: 27.

(2) Brilliant 1984: 90; Hannestad 1986: 158; Kleiner 2010: 159; Thill 2010: 27.

(3) Kleiner 2010: 162.

(4) Hannestad 1986: 158; Thill 2010: 27.

(5) Hannestad 1986: 158; Rossi 1971: 18, 98; Thill 2010: 27.

(6) Hannestad 1986: 158; Hölscher 2003: 11.

(7) Brilliant 1984: 101; Hannestad 1986: 158.

(8) Kleiner 2010: 162; Rossi 1971: 16, 100.

(9) Brilliant 1984: 97.

(10) Brilliant 1984: 102.

(11) Claridge 1993: 22; Hannestad 1986: 159; Kleiner 2010: 162.

(12) Brilliant 1984: 104; Davies 1997: 58.