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#CLST6 For this #RR17, I will be primarily examining two scenes of sacrifice on the spiral frieze of Trajan’s column, specifically scenes 86 and 98-99 depicting aspects of the Second Dacian War, and investigating the theme of Roman sacrifice in greater depth. https://twitter.com/FlintCLST6/status/1323682034322231296
Scene 86 portrays Trajan making a “sacrifice against the backdrop of a town” to the gods [1]. The elaborate civil architecture and elegant theatre in the background is notable, highlighting how towns that supported Trajan and his way of life could be similarly prosperous.
![Scene 86 portrays Trajan making a “sacrifice against the backdrop of a town” to the gods [1]. The elaborate civil architecture and elegant theatre in the background is notable, highlighting how towns that supported Trajan and his way of life could be similarly prosperous.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El85oEaXEAIQHqI.jpg "Scene 86 portrays Trajan making a “sacrifice against the backdrop of a town” to the gods [1]. The elaborate civil architecture and elegant theatre in the background is notable, highlighting how towns that supported Trajan and his way of life could be similarly prosperous.")
![Scene 86 portrays Trajan making a “sacrifice against the backdrop of a town” to the gods [1]. The elaborate civil architecture and elegant theatre in the background is notable, highlighting how towns that supported Trajan and his way of life could be similarly prosperous.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El85rxNWMAApL47.jpg "Scene 86 portrays Trajan making a “sacrifice against the backdrop of a town” to the gods [1]. The elaborate civil architecture and elegant theatre in the background is notable, highlighting how towns that supported Trajan and his way of life could be similarly prosperous.")
Scene 98-99 display the Danube bridge and Trajan “conduct[ing] the initial libation at a garlanded altar for the sacrifice of a bull” [2]. It is possible that the bridge in the backdrop is intended to show his achievement of constructing infrastructure with exceptional technique.
![Scene 98-99 display the Danube bridge and Trajan “conduct[ing] the initial libation at a garlanded altar for the sacrifice of a bull” [2]. It is possible that the bridge in the backdrop is intended to show his achievement of constructing infrastructure with exceptional technique.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El85u82WoAIQaDX.jpg "Scene 98-99 display the Danube bridge and Trajan “conduct[ing] the initial libation at a garlanded altar for the sacrifice of a bull” [2]. It is possible that the bridge in the backdrop is intended to show his achievement of constructing infrastructure with exceptional technique.")
![Scene 98-99 display the Danube bridge and Trajan “conduct[ing] the initial libation at a garlanded altar for the sacrifice of a bull” [2]. It is possible that the bridge in the backdrop is intended to show his achievement of constructing infrastructure with exceptional technique.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El85xtkX0AAAhul.jpg "Scene 98-99 display the Danube bridge and Trajan “conduct[ing] the initial libation at a garlanded altar for the sacrifice of a bull” [2]. It is possible that the bridge in the backdrop is intended to show his achievement of constructing infrastructure with exceptional technique.")
Sacrifices seem to have been important to Trajan, as rituals involving sacrifices would establish a connection between the Romans and the gods. The two scenes also showcase how the frieze praises Trajan and serve to celebrate his achievements of construction even during the wars.
Lastly, though not necessarily related to the theme of Roman sacrifice, the Dacians’ heroism and sacrifice is recognized; for instance, in this scene, Dacians are shown “passing around cups of poison in a mass suicide” to prevent themselves from being captured by the Romans [3].
![Lastly, though not necessarily related to the theme of Roman sacrifice, the Dacians’ heroism and sacrifice is recognized; for instance, in this scene, Dacians are shown “passing around cups of poison in a mass suicide” to prevent themselves from being captured by the Romans [3].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El86sNvX0AIPBer.jpg "Lastly, though not necessarily related to the theme of Roman sacrifice, the Dacians’ heroism and sacrifice is recognized; for instance, in this scene, Dacians are shown “passing around cups of poison in a mass suicide” to prevent themselves from being captured by the Romans [3].")
![Lastly, though not necessarily related to the theme of Roman sacrifice, the Dacians’ heroism and sacrifice is recognized; for instance, in this scene, Dacians are shown “passing around cups of poison in a mass suicide” to prevent themselves from being captured by the Romans [3].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El86tkHXYAE_Kl0.jpg "Lastly, though not necessarily related to the theme of Roman sacrifice, the Dacians’ heroism and sacrifice is recognized; for instance, in this scene, Dacians are shown “passing around cups of poison in a mass suicide” to prevent themselves from being captured by the Romans [3].")
Citations:
[1] Ulrich, Roger. “The Second Dacian War: Reliefs Scene-by-Scene on Trajan's Column in Rome.” Trajan's Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/?page_id=578 .
[1] Ulrich, Roger. “The Second Dacian War: Reliefs Scene-by-Scene on Trajan's Column in Rome.” Trajan's Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/?page_id=578 .
Citations (cont.):
[2] Ulrich, Roger. “Trajan Sacrifices Before the Danube in Scene XCIX.” Trajan's Column in Rome, 28 Apr. 2016, http://www.trajans-column.org/?imagemap_area=untitled-image-map-area-40.
[3] "A History of Roman Art", Fred S. Kleiner, 2018, p. 192.
[2] Ulrich, Roger. “Trajan Sacrifices Before the Danube in Scene XCIX.” Trajan's Column in Rome, 28 Apr. 2016, http://www.trajans-column.org/?imagemap_area=untitled-image-map-area-40.
[3] "A History of Roman Art", Fred S. Kleiner, 2018, p. 192.
Image Sources:
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN LXIII/LXXXVI (Scene 86) (Composite).” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes79-91/thumbs/thumbs_100-101_lxiii_lxxxvi_8098-composite-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN LXXII/XCIX (Scene 99): Sacrifice.” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes98-100/thumbs/thumbs_118_lxxii_xcix_8144a-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN LXIII/LXXXVI (Scene 86) (Composite).” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes79-91/thumbs/thumbs_100-101_lxiii_lxxxvi_8098-composite-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN LXXII/XCIX (Scene 99): Sacrifice.” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes98-100/thumbs/thumbs_118_lxxii_xcix_8144a-web.jpg.
Image Sources (cont.):
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN LXXII/XCIX (Scene 99): The Danube Bridge.” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes98-100/thumbs/thumbs_118_lxxii_xcviii-xcix_8143-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN XCI/CXX (Scene 120).” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes111-126/thumbs/thumbs_120_8229-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN LXXII/XCIX (Scene 99): The Danube Bridge.” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes98-100/thumbs/thumbs_118_lxxii_xcviii-xcix_8143-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN XCI/CXX (Scene 120).” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes111-126/thumbs/thumbs_120_8229-web.jpg.
Image Sources (cont. 2):
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN XCI/CXX (Scene 120).” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes111-126/thumbs/thumbs_120_8224-web.jpg.
“TRAJAN'S COLUMN XCI/CXX (Scene 120).” Trajan’s Column in Rome, http://www.trajans-column.org/wp-content/flagallery/scenes111-126/thumbs/thumbs_120_8224-web.jpg.
