Roman Architecture by Diana E. E. Kleiner

Author:Diana E. E. Kleiner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yale University Press

Chapter 14

The Mother of All Forums

Civic Architecture in Rome Under Trajan

Trajan was as ambitious about architecture as Domitian but focused on major public commissions rather than palaces. Distinguished by their vast scale, these buildings mimic Trajan's expansion of the Roman Empire to its farthest reaches. Trajan restored the Temple of Venus Genetrix in Caesar's Forum, adding some sculptural decoration, and joined Vespasian and Titus in obliterating Nero's memory by destroying his palaces and constructing public works like the Baths of Trajan in their place. Size mattered as Trajan commissioned a building several times bigger than the earlier Baths of Titus. The architect was Apollodorus of Damascus, the brilliant engineer who accompanied Trajan on his military campaigns and became his partner in translating an empire-wide vision into a vast forum and market complex. The Forum of Trajan consists of an open rectangular area, a basilica, Greek and Latin libraries, and a temple dedicated to Trajan as Optimus Princeps. Between the libraries stands the celebrated Column of Trajan, with a spiral frieze commemorating the emperor's military victories in Dacia (modern Romania) and reaching a height of 125 feet. The unique brick-faced concrete Markets of Trajan climb the hill and form a dramatic contrast to the marble forum. Like Rabirius, Apollodorus was a master of the concrete medium, creating the most innovative and influential utilitarian structure in Rome—the market's groin-vaulted hall—in which soaring ribs rest on piers rather than walls. Also noteworthy is the Arch of Trajan at Benevento, which depicts scenes of the emperor's greatest accomplishments and the first representations of his successor, Hadrian.

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