Marcus Aurelius's Column
The Column of Marcus Aurelius is a monumental structure commissioned by his son, Lucius Aurelius Commodus, shortly after the emperor’s death in 180 CE. Standing at approximately 300 feet (91 meters) tall, it features a continuous helical frieze with 116 scenes that illustrate two significant military campaigns led by Marcus Aurelius against Germanic tribes between 172 and 175 CE. This column not only commemorates Marcus Aurelius's military achievements but also reflects the broader context of the Roman Empire's increasing instability during his reign.
The artwork on the column showcases various aspects of warfare, including troop movements, religious sacrifices, and moments of battle. Unlike the earlier Column of Trajan, which presents a narrative of invincibility, the scenes on Marcus Aurelius's Column suggest the need for divine intervention, as evidenced by the "Rain Miracle" scene that portrays a personification of rain aiding Roman soldiers. The depiction of Marcus Aurelius above the crowds on a high podium indicates Commodus's perception of the emperor as a living god, contrasting with Trajan's portrayal as one among equals. This column serves as a rich historical artifact, offering insights into the military, cultural, and political themes of its time.
Marcus Aurelius's Column
Related civilization: Imperial Rome.
Date: c. 180-192 c.e.
Locale: Rome, Italy
Marcus Aurelius’s Column
The column of Marcus Aurelius, commissioned by his son, Lucius Aurelius Commodus, shortly after the emperor’s death in 180 c.e., contains 116 scenes on a helical frieze depicting two German campaigns of Marcus Aurelius, the bellum Germanicum (172-173 c.e.) and the bellum Sarmaticum (174-175 c.e.). This impressive 300-foot-high (91-meter-high) column celebrated the military achievements of the deified Marcus Aurelius and the strength of Roman arms.
Modeled after the column of Trajan, the column of Marcus Aurelius depicts various aspects of war, such as marching, sacrifices to the gods, and actual combat. However, several differences in Marcus Aurelius’s column reflect upon the increasing instability of the Roman Empire as well as Commodus’s own notion of the emperor. In the “Rain Miracle” scene, a personification of rain showers down on the battlefield, confounding the enemy and rejuvenating the Romans. Although the scene reveals the gods’ favor of the Romans, it is somewhat tragic because, unlike Trajan’s invincible army, Marcus Aurelius’s men needed divine intervention during combat. Commodus perhaps reveals his own belief in the emperor as a living god by the frontal placements of Marcus Aurelius above the crowds, usually on a high podium, unlike Trajan who is depicted as the first among equals.
Bibliography
Birley, Anthony. Marcus Aurelius: A Biography. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1987.
Kleiner, Diana E. E. Roman Sculpture. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1992.