By Austin Lucas
SENATVS·POPVLVSQVE·ROMA NVS IMP·CAESARI·DIVI·NERVAE·F·NE RVAE TRAIANO·AVG·GERM·DACICO· PONTIF MAXIMO·TRIB·POT·XVII·IMP·VI· COS·VI·P·P AD·DECLARANDVM·QVANTAE· ALTITVDINIS MONS·ET·LOCVS·TANT<IS·OPE R>IBVS·SIT·EGESTVS
The Senate and people of Rome [give or dedicate this] to the emperor Caesar, son of the divine Nerva, Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus, pontifex maximus, in his 17th year in the office of tribune, having been acclaimed 6 times as imperator, 6 times consul, pater patriae, to demonstrate of what great height the hill [was] and place [that] was removed for such great works.
• Hollow stairway • composed of 29 blocks of Luna marble, weighting in total more than 1100 tons • Threaded so that the pieces of the column would fit together well • Hollowed and designed before they were put together
• portrays Trajan's two victorious military campaigns against the Dacians; • the lower half illustrating the first (101-102) • top half illustrating the second (105-106). • The scenes depict mostly the Roman army in military activities such as setting out to battle and engaging the Dacians, as well as constructing fortifications and listening to the emperor's address and the success he accomplished. • 2,500 figures in • The emperor Trajan, depicted realistically (not superhuman), makes 59 appearances among his troops.