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previous: Scene 104 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: Scene 106

Scenes of the spiral band running up the shaft

 p176  CV. Capture of a Prisoner of Rank

A Dacian of high rank is unhorsed, and lies on the ground besides a tree half supporting himself on his left arm. He has lost his shield, but grasps the scimetar in his right hand and glares fiercely on his pursuers. He is surrounded by Roman horsemen. One raises his lance to give him the finishing stroke. Another leans over his horse trying to secure him as a prisoner. A third has turned and leans with his body stretched over to his horse's head. He holds up the first and second fingers of the right hand offering quarter to the fallen man. Another infantry soldier has caught the horse by his bridle, and turns calling to the Dacian to surrender. The shield is richly ornamented. The man wears the sheepskin cap and is a person of rank. Bellori's suggestion, that it is Decebalus, is inadmissible, as the news of the suicide of Decebalus has been already given to the emperor, and this fact is historical. No such catastrophe is commemorated regarding this warrior, whose rank is probably one great inducement to the offer of mercy at the moment, that he may grace the imperial triumph in Rome. The infantry are seen binding the arms of captives and thrusting others forward by the hair. Two soldiers, one a tall mounted horseman, secures a Dacian boy who seems to implore his liberty in vain.

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