Trajan's Forum

The Forum of Trajan, inaugurated in 112 AD, represents the last and most grandiose of the Imperial Forums of Rome, built by the emperor Trajan to celebrate his military victories, particularly the conquest of Dacia. The project, supervised by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, reflected Trajan’s ambition to create an unprecedented public space that combined practical function and monumental magnificence. The forum complex was built in a space obtained by cutting through the hills of the Quirinal and the Capitoline, a testament to advanced Roman engineering. The entire complex, measuring about 300 by 185 meters, was organized around a vast rectangular square, surrounded by porticoes and characterized by two hemicycles, one to the east and one to the west, which added depth and monumentality to the whole.One of the central elements of the forum was the Ulpian Basilica, the largest public building of its kind in Rome, used for administrative and judicial functions. The basilica was decorated with marble columns and statues, many of which were gilded, adding a touch of opulence. Behind the basilica stood the Trajan’s Column, erected in 113 AD to commemorate the Dacian campaigns. Standing about 30 meters high, the column is wrapped in a continuous frieze that details Trajan’s military exploits, from the departure of the Roman troops to the final submission of the Dacians. This column not only celebrates Trajan’s victories, but also serves as a mausoleum for the emperor, whose ashes were deposited at the base of the structure.The forum also included two libraries, one Greek and one Latin, flanking Trajan’s Column, demonstrating the importance of culture and knowledge for the empire. These spaces were used to store texts and documents, and likely hosted public readings and philosophical debates.The area was further embellished by a large equestrian statue of Trajan, placed in the center of the square, celebrating his figure as a leader and military commander. Around this statue, along the porticoes, statues of illustrious Roman figures were arranged, creating a pantheon of heroes and historical figures that emphasized the continuity and greatness of the Roman Empire.During the Middle Ages, the forum experienced a decline, with many of its structures dismantled or reused for other purposes. The marble and other precious materials were taken for the construction of new buildings, and the area gradually became semi-rural, with houses and gardens occupying the once grand spaces.In the Renaissance and subsequent centuries, the forum was partially rediscovered and studied, but it was only in the 20th century that systematic excavations were carried out, revealing much of the structures that we can admire today. The excavations carried out during the fascist era, in particular, revealed the magnificence of the complex and led to the construction of the Via dei Fori Imperiali, which unfortunately covered some parts of the ancient site.