For this #CLST6 #RR17, we will be looking at imagery on Trajan's Column as a lens through which to view how deeply the Roman state was intertwined with warfare. In many ways, the two were simply inseparable. https://twitter.com/FlintCLST6/status/1323682034322231296

The column depicts scenes from the Dacian wars, and here we have scenes of the preparations for it. One of Rome's chief achievements was its logistical prowess. It was able to muster vast resources, which are depicted here. In fact, much of the column isn't the battles.

Rather, we have lots of scenes of the whole event of the war. Here we have another logistics scene, with soldiers moving things with a cart.

Here's a scene of a river crossing. The Romans certainly included lots of war scenes on the column, but that wasn't all that it was about. It was about the whole event. The Roman state existed to create moments like these, and then to celebrate them afterwards on art like this.

In fact, the central message of the Column is one of expanding the empire's borders. Doing so was a surefire way to fame for an emperor, and so they were keen to tout it. Trajan appears throughout the column, directing activities. In this picture, he's presiding over work.

The column was largely a propaganda piece for Trajan, and it was effective at that. After all, it hit all the sweet spots of glorious victories, defending Rome, and building great works. Romans would see Trajan as doing all the things the emperor 'should' be doing.

Citations:
Images: http://Trajans-column.org  by Prof Ulrich
Purpose of column, background, etc: A History of Roman Art, Kleiner, pp 190-192.