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1) Where in Rome did
the column shown in
this reproduction
stand? [ACH]
Any ONE of:
• Trajan’s Forum in Rome
• north of the Roman Forum
• near the Quirinal hill.
(2) When was this
column dedicated?
[ACH]
113 AD
3) The relief decoration
on this column
features stock military
themes. Give TWO of
these stock themes.
[ACH]
Any TWO of:
• the emperor sacrifices before departure
• the emperor addresses the soldiers
• the Roman army fortifies a camp
• the army fights and defeats the enemy
• the enemy begs for mercy.
4) Describe in detail
what is depicted in the
detail shown in
Reproduction 8.10 on
page 52. [ACH]
• Dacian prisoner brought before Trajan.
• Trajan recognised as he is higher.
• Dacian depicted as a barbarian with long moustache
and trousers.
Etc etc et c
5) Explain THREE ways
in which the sculptors
addressed the
difficulty of viewing
the uppermost reliefs
from ground level.
[MER]
Any THREE of:
The height of each band gradually increases as it goes up to the top.
The height of the figures gradually increases.
Figures were made more prominent by the use of metal accessories.
Figures were made more prominent by the use of added colour.
(Other answers possible such as increased depth of relief or similar.)
6 (i) Explain TWO of the perspectives
used in the sculptural relief on this
column. Give an example of the use of
each perspective on the column.
(ii) What is the advantage of using
different perspectives? [MER]
(i) •
Frontal view + example
Eg the depiction of soldiers in the foreground of scenes.
• Bird’s eye view + example
Eg looking from above into a Roman camp.
(Other points possible.)
(ii) The viewer is able to see simultaneously what is happening inside the
building or walls, as well as the action taking place outside.
(Other answers are possible.)
7) (i) Analyse THREE ways in which this
column glorifies the emperor who
ordered its construction. In your answer
you must make specific reference to the
column and the historical background of
the campaigns depicted in its reliefs.
(ii) Explain how the location of the
column contributed to its propaganda
purpose.[EXC]
(i)
Any THREE of:
•
The spiral relief features Trajan’s defeat of the Dacians at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, highlighting the emperor’s
credibility as commander of the Roman army / conqueror of barbarians.
•
Trajan is the only identifiable figure on the relief, appearing in a number of different scenes + example
eg receiving an embassy from the Dacians.
•
The emperor dominates the scenes in which he appears – sculpted a little bigger, at a higher level, framed by others who look
towards him + example
eg on a platform addressing his troops.
•
Trajan’s statue stood at the top of the column, prominently visible.
•
Trajan’s ashes were placed inside the pedestal at the base of the column, housed in a grand memorial.
Examples can be generalized ones.
(Other answers possible such as showing pietas or clementia or an adlocutio + example.)
(ii)
Any ONE of:
Focus is on the location and the propaganda value of the location.
•
The column was one part of a vast forum complex celebrating Trajan. (This complex featured eg a triumphal archway and
equestrian statue, a huge basilica, a temple to the Divine Trajan.)
•
The column was located in a busy, public part of the city (eg near the political hub of the Roman Forum and the commercial
activity of Trajan’s market.