mail: Bill Thayer	Italiano	Help	Up	Home
previous: Section 5 This webpage reproduces a section of A Description of the Trajan Column by John Hungerford Pollen printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode, printers to Queen Victoria London, 1874 Text and engravings are in the public domain. This page has been carefully proofread and I believe it to be free of errors. If you find a mistake though, please let me know! next: Section 7

Scenes of the spiral band running up the shaft

p114 VI. Trajan addresses his troops.

Following the immemorial custom of ancient generals and leaders Trajan is here addressing his troops. Men representing various arms of the legion, standard bearers, and others are crowded to listen. Three out of five men in the front whose backs are turned to the spectator wear the  p115 cuirass made of thin plates of metal rivetted together and reaching to the loins only; the others wear linen cuirasses. All have helmets. The shields are of two shapes, curved with square ends, or oval, ornamented some with stars and crescents, some with the arms of Jove. The emperor stands on the front of the tribunal described above. The same two officers, who are seen supporting him while giving the signal to break up his camp, are here in a like position. This structure has been prepared for the purpose, and it is from the back of it that Trajan, who has received the last intelligence or advice offered by his lieutenants, gives the signal for putting his army into motion.

Images with borders lead to more information. The thicker the border, the more information. (Details here.)
UP TO:	J. H. Pollen: Description of the Column	Trajan's Column	Rome	Roman Gazetteer	LacusCurtius	Home
A page or image on this site is in the public domain ONLY if its URL has a total of one *asterisk. If the URL has two **asterisks, the item is copyright someone else, and used by permission or fair use. If the URL has none the item is © Bill Thayer. See my copyright page for details and contact information.