Trajan's Forum (Forum Traiani) is chronologically the last of the Imperial fora of Rome.

History

The forum was built on the order of Emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106. The Fasti Ostiensi (see Fasti) states that the Forum was inaugurated in 112, while Trajan's Column was inaugurated in 113.

To build this monumental complex, extensive excavations were required: workers eliminated the sides of the Quirinal and Capitoline (Campidoglio) Hills, which closed the valley occupied by the Imperial forums toward the Campus Martius.

It is possible that the excavations were initiated under Emperor Domitian, while the project of the Forum was completely attributed to the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, who also accompanied Emperor Trajan in the Dacian campaign.

During the time of the construction, several other projects took place: The Markets of Trajan were constructed, Caesar's Forum (where the Basilica Argentaria was built), and the Temple of Venus Genetrix were renovated.

Structure

The Forum was built from a vast piazza with porches on two sides, with the Basilica Ulpia at one end, and decorated by a large equestrian statue of Trajan. The piazza was cobbled with rectangular blocks of white marble.

Post-Roman history

The Trajan Forum continued to be used after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the mid-4th century, Constantine II, while visiting Rome, was amazed by the huge equestrian statue of Trajan and by the surrounding buildings. In the mid-9th century, the marble cobble blocks of the piazza were systematically taken for re-use, because of the good quality of the lime. At the same time, the pavement was restored in wrought as a sign that the piazza was still in use as a public space.

External Links

• Trajan's Forum 360° IPIX PANORAMA

Ancient Roman architecture | Forums of Rome | Trajansforum | Forum de Trajan | פורום טריאנוס | Foro di Traiano | Forum van Traianus | Trajans forum | Forum Trajana | Fórum de Trajano | Trajanus forum