Trajan's Column was erected to commemorate the emperor Trajan's triumph over Dacia (modern Romania) in his campaigns of AD 101-2 and AD 105-7, and marks the moment when the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent.
Standing 125 ft (38 m) high, the marble column forms a focal point in the forum which Trajan built using spoils from the Dacian campaigns.
A continuous spiral frieze, carved in relief with details picked out in colour, runs around the column's shaft and vividly narrates the course of events. More than 2,500 human figures dominate the scenes which provide an insight into Roman military life, as well as a record of historical events. The frieze was best viewed from the upper storeys of the nearby Greek and Latin libraries.
A gilded bronze statue of Trajan surmounted the column, whilst within its base there was a burial-chamber containing the golden cinerary (cremation) urns containing the ashes of the emperor and his wife Plotina.
