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previous: Scene 27 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 29

Scenes of the spiral band running up the shaft

 p132  XXVIII. The wounded and prisoners.

Two wounded legionaries recline on the rock, and are tended by their comrades. Trajan is said to have torn his cloak into bandages on one occasion for the wounded, and this fact is perhaps meant to be represented here. One legionary is armed with a cuirass and shoulder plates. Two men support him; his helmet is off. Another, dressed in a linen frock or cuirass and neckerchief, has a wound in his thigh; a comrade in the same dress is binding it up. A prisoner on one knee, wearing the cap of a chief, has his arms bound behind his back by a Roman. Another is thrust forward by the hair. Another, wounded and seated on the ground with his hands bound behind him, turns his head, seeming to ask quarter of the soldier who holds him, and looks towards the emperor. In the background the legions are drawn up in order of battle. In the front are two cornicines, with curved trumpets and four standards; two dracones, and two those of manipuli. On the tops of these last are small shields, eagles within wreaths under them, and mural ornaments. Behind the standards are drawn up the heavy troops in reserve. Two mules, each led by an armed soldier, are seen in the rear. They draw two carrobalistae. The mules have bridle reins only, and are led, not driven. A chain is distinguishable round the neck of one, but there is no appearance of a yoke, and  p133 when in motion the engine was possibly lifted by a trail of some kind in the rear.

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