Column of Marcus Aurelius

Overview

Dominating the beautiful Piazza Colonna located on Via del Corso, the Column of Marcus Aurelius is a soaring, detailed ancient monument. Often confused with Trajan's Column, it is a massive, spiraling masterpiece of fierce Imperial Roman military storytelling.

Highlights

• The Spiraling Reliefs: A nearly 30-metre-high continuous marble comic strip wrapped tightly around the column 21 times, detailing massive, brutal Roman military campaigns across the Danube River.
• The Brutality: Unlike Trajan's Column (which shows peaceful logistics), this column is shockingly, unsparing and graphic, depicting entire villages burning, executions, and the grim, violent reality of Roman imperial warfare.
• The Rain Miracle: Look for the massive figure of the "Rain God"—a famous scene depicting a massive storm miraculously saving surrounded, dying Roman troops from dying of intense thirst.

History

Completed in 193 AD following the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (the famed philosopher-king). It was built to celebrate his massive, agonizingly long, grueling military victories against the aggressive Germanic Marcomanni and Sarmatian tribes. Originally, a massive gold statue of the Emperor stood on top; in 1589, the Pope removed it and replaced it with the current bronze statue of Saint Paul.

Visitor Tips

• The Piazza: The column sits in Piazza Colonna, outside Palazzo Chigi, the guarded official, important residence of the Italian Prime Minister.
• Viewing: Bring zoomed camera lenses or binoculars; the deepest, most fascinating details of the brutal warfare are high up the marble shaft.