Page 394 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

392  ROME AND LAZIO

4 Trajan’s stood between the two
Forum and libraries. Spiralling up its
Markets 30 m- (98 ft-) high stem
are minutely detailed scenes
Map 3 B4. Trajan’s Forum, Via from the Dacian campaigns,
dei Fori Imperiali. Closed to the beginning with the Romans
public. Trajan’s Markets, Via preparing for war and ending
IV Novem bre. Tel 06 06 08. with the Dacians being
Open 9:30am–7:30pm daily (last ousted from their homeland.
adm: 6:30pm). & = 7 The subtly modelled reliefs
were designed to be seen Via Biberatica, the main street through
Trajan began to build from viewing platforms Trajan’s Markets
his forum in AD 107 to on the libraries, and are
commemorate his final con sequently difficult to shopping centre. There were
conquest of Dacia (present- interpret from ground level. around 150 shops selling
day Romania) after the If you want to examine the everything from oriental silks
campaigns in AD 101–2 scenes in detail there are and spices to fruit, fresh fish and
and 105–6. His new casts in the Museo della flowers. It was also here that the
forum was the most Civiltà Romana (see p446). annone, or corn dole, was
ambitious yet, with a The market complex, distributed. This was a free ration
vast colonnaded open which is situated directly of corn given to Roman men, a
space centring on an Trajan’s Column behind the Forum, was practice which was introduced
equestrian statue of the begun slightly earlier. in the Republic by politicians
emperor, a huge basilica, and Like the Forum it was probably who wanted to buy votes and
two big libraries. Dominating designed by Apollodorus of prevent unrest during periods of
the ruins today is Trajan’s Damascus, and was the ancient famine. The markets now host
Column, which originally Roman equivalent of the contemporary art exhibitions.
Reconstruction of Trajan’s Markets
Cross
vaulting The main hall had 12
shops on two storeys.
The corn ration was
distributed from the
upper floor.

Amphorae, used
for storing wine
and oil, were
discovered on the
upper corridor.

The terrace
has a good
view of
Trajan’s
Forum.

The shops on the
ground floor were
Staircase cool, and probably
sold vegetables, fruit
Via Biberatica is and flowers.
named after the
drinking inns that Large hall with
once lined it. semi-domed ceiling
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp573–6 and pp596–600

392-393_EW_Italy.indd 392 4/4/17 5:36 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm