“Do not believe your eyes” or the Emperor Trajan’s Column as a reliable historical source
Military story Rome from 100 to 200 year n. er We know very badly, since detailed historical studies of this period have not been preserved. But there is a column of Trajan in Rome. And so many historians in the armor depicted on it are figures of soldiers in armor and used to refer to.
The column of Emperor Trajan in Rome. Modern look
Everything is known about her, so lovers of “new chronologies” in this case do not worry: 20 blocks of the famous Karar marble, it is 38 m high (together with the base), its diameter itself is 4 m. Inside it is hollow, and leads to the capital spiral staircase with 185 steps. Its weight is about 40 tons. It was built by the architect Apollodorus Damascus in 113, Mr. er and is dedicated to the victory of Emperor Trajan over the Dacians in 101-102. However, to say so means to say nothing! After all, its entire surface is covered with a ribbon with reliefs, which spirals around its trunk 23 times, and the total length is 190 m! The work of the sculptor and his workers had a huge! Suffice it to say that these reliefs depict about 2500 figures! But to consider them and study is very difficult, since it is very high. By the way, Trajan himself is depicted on it 59 times. Among the depicted figures are such allegorical figures as the goddess of Victory Nick, the god of the Danube in the form of a majestic old man, a night in the form of a woman with a veiled face, and many others.
God of the Danube is watching the crossing of the Roman troops
The figure of the Goddess of Victory and the trophies of the Roman army. Top left: Sarmatian helmet with lugs. On the right is scaled armor, but for some reason all the shields are oval, similar to the shields of the auxiliary Roman units not only in form, but also in their own design.
The first impression from those who look at these images is the strongest. It seems that all the figures on it are very realistic, and it is not without reason that the reliefs of the column are a valuable source for studying weapons, armor and equipment of both the Romans and their enemies - Dacians and Sarmatians. But the prospect of sculptors sacrificed deliberately to achieve greater information. Such an approach is constantly encountered in the works of ancient masters, but it is not this that is important for the historian, but how carefully and reliably they show the details of clothing and weapons. By the way, the walls and details of the landscape, again in the ancient tradition are shown out of scale. The clarity and dimensions of all the figures are the same, but to show perspective, they are located one above the other.
Inside the column is empty, and there is a spiral staircase upstairs. Therefore, in the walls of the column there are small light windows of a rectangular shape.
Note that the horses under the riders are disproportionately small, and they were indeed less modern, but not as much as the sculptor depicted.
French historian Michel Fiugeri called the bas-reliefs of Trajan’s column a “documentary film”. But if you study them carefully, and most importantly, also compare them with other images and artifacts, then perhaps we will end up with more questions than it gives us the answers. Yes, this is the source, but the source is very peculiar, and everything we see on it is simply impossible to take on trust! The famous English historian Peter Connolly noted that from it one can really learn many valuable details of what the Roman army of the times of this campaign was. But ... you can learn from it and something completely different!
This relief is well shown the construction of the Roman soldiers in battle. Ahead legionnaires attacking phalanxes, followed by archers with bows in their hands, and on the flanks - German slingers in tunics
For example, on the bas-reliefs one can see that Roman legionnaires are wearing lorica segmentata armor, and their auxiliary troops (auxiarii), and horsemen, and infantry - in lorica hamata chain mail. But why are some auxirian mails so short? Why does not even the groin of the notched hem cover them? One can involuntarily recall a phrase from the cult Soviet film “Alexander Nevsky”: “Eh, short kolchuzhka!”, And it also raises certain doubts in the veracity of the image depicted, especially near the long-haired chainmail of the Eastern archers, depicted here nearby. Judging by the oval shields, infantrymen in such short mail are auxiliaries, although the small length of this armor is also doubtful. That is, it is either the negligence of the sculptors, or they did so consciously, for example, to “heroize” the image of a Roman soldier. However, the horsemen have the same short chain mail. What if this was done - for greater convenience in wearing it horsemen? But if this is so, then why cannot one assume that the infantrymen in these short chain mail ... are dismounted or horsemen who have lost horses ?! But this is such a shaky ground of speculation that it is simply impossible to stand on it. By the way, it also shows that the essence of many subjects that are right in front of your eyes can be interpreted differently! By the way, on the relief of Mantua in the valley of the river. By the beginning of the first century. AD the armors (and scaly shells) of riders are mid-thigh length, that is, equestrian armor of normal length still existed in the Roman army. They have pelerines instead of sleeves, and they are somewhat more complicated than the “Trajan” ones, as also pointed out by Peter Connolly. Interestingly, both the chain mail and the scales of the scales of the Roman soldiers of the same cut, although the technology of their manufacture, of course, differed!
Oval shields in the Roman army of that time were usually among the horsemen and soldiers of the auxiliary legions
But the most interesting thing is that the bas-reliefs of Traian’s column in scaly armor also depict Syrian archers - the mercenaries of Rome and the cavalry of the Sarmatians, who in this war were allies of the Dacians. Among the sources confirming the fact of the wide distribution of scaly armor in the ancient world, the reliefs from the column of Traian could be of particular importance, because the column was installed “hot on the heels”. But the study of the relief, which shows the Sarmatian horsemen and their horses, clearly shows that this image is a fiction.
The fact is that all of them are depicted in scaly “clothes”, representing ... tight-fitting leotards! Therefore, on the reliefs from the column of Trajan, the Sarmatians are more like ... "amphibian man" from the movie of the same name, made in the USSR in 1962 year, which really could not be. There was no such armor at that time! Did not have! According to the British historian Russell Robinson, the author of the relief with “scaly Sarmatians” either used their descriptions, where it was said that they were protected from scattered armor from head to toe, and he reproduced them like that, or thought up their own to taste. Although it could be the way it happens in Russia, when everything is explained to the performer “on the fingers”. Those who could be asked about this were absent nearby, so the poor sculptor gave vent to his imagination! And as the veterans of the war with the Dacians most likely laughed at his "scaly Sarmatians", we can only guess today!
And here are some very unique images: on the left are the Roman horsemen in extremely short mail, and on the right are the Sarmatians running from them. Moreover, the warriors and their horses are covered with “scaly armor” from head to toe. That is, it is a clear fantasy of sculptors.
Here, on the column, there is another relief, in which we see the Sarmatian and Dacian trophies of the Roman army. Among them are the famous dragonarium, and Dacian-Sarmatian spangenhelm helmets (spangenhelm) with shoulder pads, which later became the standard head protection in the Roman army, and ... a scaly shell with a gear hem of normal length. One can only wonder why they are depicted correctly in one place, but not in another!
In the center of this composition is a warrior in a very short chain mail and with a disproportionately small shield. Well, why such shields - we seem to have figured out. But who is he? Warrior auxiliary parts of the Roman army or the horseman who lost his horse?
The shields of all the Roman soldiers from the column of Trajan are very small, although, judging by the findings in Dura Europos, should be much more. Marching Legionnaires are depicted with shields that they carry on the left shoulder strap. Because it would be hardly possible to hold a shield for a long time in your hand and carry it. But the shields are depicted open, although from Caesar's notes we know that they were worn in leather cases. Such covers were found, so that their use does not cause doubts. They also had a hole for umbon, but on the column - perhaps to show ornaments on the shields - they are everywhere depicted uncovered. And it would be fine only in battle, but also in a campaign, and this is an obvious fiction or flaw in the sculptor - the author of the column.
None of the legionnaires on the column has a pugio dagger. Apparently, by the end of the 1st century AD He has already gone out of fashion with foreign players. They do not even have such a specific piece of equipment, like a kingulum - a set of belts with metal badges sewn on them, on a waist belt in front. Rather, almost not, since it sometimes occurs with legionnaires in the segment lorik. But even they have it very much too short - only four rows of plaques. That is, he has either gone out of fashion, or this process was at the stage of completion!
Roman dagger pugio
Many legionnaires on the column of beard. And again, it is not clear - who is it? Former barbarians who fell into the Legion, or it was already such a fashion. That is, the beard was no longer associated with barbarism, it was no wonder that even the emperors had beards later. However, the emperor Trajan himself is shown on a column without beardless.
Capture Decibalus - the leader of the Dacians. Again, pay attention to the length of the mail armor of the fighting dismounted horsemen (or are they soldiers of auxiliary units?) Who do not cover their groin or buttocks
Thus, the reliefs on the column of Trajan should be perceived primarily as an interesting historical monument, but as a source - with considerable doubt about many details, since they sin not only against our present historical knowledge, but also against elementary common sense!
Connolly, P. Greece and Rome in the wars. Encyclopedia of Military History / P. Connolly; per. from English S. Lopukhova, A. Khromova. - M .: Eksmo-Press, 2000.
Robinson, R. Armor of the Peoples of the East. The history of defensive weapons / R. Robinson; per. from English S. Fedorova. - M.: Tsentrpoligraf, 2006.
Shpakovsky, V. O. Horsemen with bas-reliefs / V. O. Shpakovsky // History Illustrated. - 2013. - No. 1.
Feugere, M. Weapons of the Romans / M. Feugere; translated from French by David G. Smith. - UK: Tempus Publishing Ltd, 2002.
Nicolle, D. Rome's Enemies (5): The Desert Frontier / D. Nicolle. - L .: Osprey (Men-at-Arms No. 243), 1991.
Robinson, HR The armor of Imperial Rome / HR Robinson. - L .: Arms and Armor Press, 1975.
The column of Emperor Trajan in Rome. Modern look
Everything is known about her, so lovers of “new chronologies” in this case do not worry: 20 blocks of the famous Karar marble, it is 38 m high (together with the base), its diameter itself is 4 m. Inside it is hollow, and leads to the capital spiral staircase with 185 steps. Its weight is about 40 tons. It was built by the architect Apollodorus Damascus in 113, Mr. er and is dedicated to the victory of Emperor Trajan over the Dacians in 101-102. However, to say so means to say nothing! After all, its entire surface is covered with a ribbon with reliefs, which spirals around its trunk 23 times, and the total length is 190 m! The work of the sculptor and his workers had a huge! Suffice it to say that these reliefs depict about 2500 figures! But to consider them and study is very difficult, since it is very high. By the way, Trajan himself is depicted on it 59 times. Among the depicted figures are such allegorical figures as the goddess of Victory Nick, the god of the Danube in the form of a majestic old man, a night in the form of a woman with a veiled face, and many others.
God of the Danube is watching the crossing of the Roman troops
The figure of the Goddess of Victory and the trophies of the Roman army. Top left: Sarmatian helmet with lugs. On the right is scaled armor, but for some reason all the shields are oval, similar to the shields of the auxiliary Roman units not only in form, but also in their own design.
The first impression from those who look at these images is the strongest. It seems that all the figures on it are very realistic, and it is not without reason that the reliefs of the column are a valuable source for studying weapons, armor and equipment of both the Romans and their enemies - Dacians and Sarmatians. But the prospect of sculptors sacrificed deliberately to achieve greater information. Such an approach is constantly encountered in the works of ancient masters, but it is not this that is important for the historian, but how carefully and reliably they show the details of clothing and weapons. By the way, the walls and details of the landscape, again in the ancient tradition are shown out of scale. The clarity and dimensions of all the figures are the same, but to show perspective, they are located one above the other.
Inside the column is empty, and there is a spiral staircase upstairs. Therefore, in the walls of the column there are small light windows of a rectangular shape.
Note that the horses under the riders are disproportionately small, and they were indeed less modern, but not as much as the sculptor depicted.
French historian Michel Fiugeri called the bas-reliefs of Trajan’s column a “documentary film”. But if you study them carefully, and most importantly, also compare them with other images and artifacts, then perhaps we will end up with more questions than it gives us the answers. Yes, this is the source, but the source is very peculiar, and everything we see on it is simply impossible to take on trust! The famous English historian Peter Connolly noted that from it one can really learn many valuable details of what the Roman army of the times of this campaign was. But ... you can learn from it and something completely different!
This relief is well shown the construction of the Roman soldiers in battle. Ahead legionnaires attacking phalanxes, followed by archers with bows in their hands, and on the flanks - German slingers in tunics
For example, on the bas-reliefs one can see that Roman legionnaires are wearing lorica segmentata armor, and their auxiliary troops (auxiarii), and horsemen, and infantry - in lorica hamata chain mail. But why are some auxirian mails so short? Why does not even the groin of the notched hem cover them? One can involuntarily recall a phrase from the cult Soviet film “Alexander Nevsky”: “Eh, short kolchuzhka!”, And it also raises certain doubts in the veracity of the image depicted, especially near the long-haired chainmail of the Eastern archers, depicted here nearby. Judging by the oval shields, infantrymen in such short mail are auxiliaries, although the small length of this armor is also doubtful. That is, it is either the negligence of the sculptors, or they did so consciously, for example, to “heroize” the image of a Roman soldier. However, the horsemen have the same short chain mail. What if this was done - for greater convenience in wearing it horsemen? But if this is so, then why cannot one assume that the infantrymen in these short chain mail ... are dismounted or horsemen who have lost horses ?! But this is such a shaky ground of speculation that it is simply impossible to stand on it. By the way, it also shows that the essence of many subjects that are right in front of your eyes can be interpreted differently! By the way, on the relief of Mantua in the valley of the river. By the beginning of the first century. AD the armors (and scaly shells) of riders are mid-thigh length, that is, equestrian armor of normal length still existed in the Roman army. They have pelerines instead of sleeves, and they are somewhat more complicated than the “Trajan” ones, as also pointed out by Peter Connolly. Interestingly, both the chain mail and the scales of the scales of the Roman soldiers of the same cut, although the technology of their manufacture, of course, differed!
Oval shields in the Roman army of that time were usually among the horsemen and soldiers of the auxiliary legions
But the most interesting thing is that the bas-reliefs of Traian’s column in scaly armor also depict Syrian archers - the mercenaries of Rome and the cavalry of the Sarmatians, who in this war were allies of the Dacians. Among the sources confirming the fact of the wide distribution of scaly armor in the ancient world, the reliefs from the column of Traian could be of particular importance, because the column was installed “hot on the heels”. But the study of the relief, which shows the Sarmatian horsemen and their horses, clearly shows that this image is a fiction.
The fact is that all of them are depicted in scaly “clothes”, representing ... tight-fitting leotards! Therefore, on the reliefs from the column of Trajan, the Sarmatians are more like ... "amphibian man" from the movie of the same name, made in the USSR in 1962 year, which really could not be. There was no such armor at that time! Did not have! According to the British historian Russell Robinson, the author of the relief with “scaly Sarmatians” either used their descriptions, where it was said that they were protected from scattered armor from head to toe, and he reproduced them like that, or thought up their own to taste. Although it could be the way it happens in Russia, when everything is explained to the performer “on the fingers”. Those who could be asked about this were absent nearby, so the poor sculptor gave vent to his imagination! And as the veterans of the war with the Dacians most likely laughed at his "scaly Sarmatians", we can only guess today!
And here are some very unique images: on the left are the Roman horsemen in extremely short mail, and on the right are the Sarmatians running from them. Moreover, the warriors and their horses are covered with “scaly armor” from head to toe. That is, it is a clear fantasy of sculptors.
Here, on the column, there is another relief, in which we see the Sarmatian and Dacian trophies of the Roman army. Among them are the famous dragonarium, and Dacian-Sarmatian spangenhelm helmets (spangenhelm) with shoulder pads, which later became the standard head protection in the Roman army, and ... a scaly shell with a gear hem of normal length. One can only wonder why they are depicted correctly in one place, but not in another!
In the center of this composition is a warrior in a very short chain mail and with a disproportionately small shield. Well, why such shields - we seem to have figured out. But who is he? Warrior auxiliary parts of the Roman army or the horseman who lost his horse?
The shields of all the Roman soldiers from the column of Trajan are very small, although, judging by the findings in Dura Europos, should be much more. Marching Legionnaires are depicted with shields that they carry on the left shoulder strap. Because it would be hardly possible to hold a shield for a long time in your hand and carry it. But the shields are depicted open, although from Caesar's notes we know that they were worn in leather cases. Such covers were found, so that their use does not cause doubts. They also had a hole for umbon, but on the column - perhaps to show ornaments on the shields - they are everywhere depicted uncovered. And it would be fine only in battle, but also in a campaign, and this is an obvious fiction or flaw in the sculptor - the author of the column.
None of the legionnaires on the column has a pugio dagger. Apparently, by the end of the 1st century AD He has already gone out of fashion with foreign players. They do not even have such a specific piece of equipment, like a kingulum - a set of belts with metal badges sewn on them, on a waist belt in front. Rather, almost not, since it sometimes occurs with legionnaires in the segment lorik. But even they have it very much too short - only four rows of plaques. That is, he has either gone out of fashion, or this process was at the stage of completion!
Roman dagger pugio
Many legionnaires on the column of beard. And again, it is not clear - who is it? Former barbarians who fell into the Legion, or it was already such a fashion. That is, the beard was no longer associated with barbarism, it was no wonder that even the emperors had beards later. However, the emperor Trajan himself is shown on a column without beardless.
Capture Decibalus - the leader of the Dacians. Again, pay attention to the length of the mail armor of the fighting dismounted horsemen (or are they soldiers of auxiliary units?) Who do not cover their groin or buttocks
Thus, the reliefs on the column of Trajan should be perceived primarily as an interesting historical monument, but as a source - with considerable doubt about many details, since they sin not only against our present historical knowledge, but also against elementary common sense!
Connolly, P. Greece and Rome in the wars. Encyclopedia of Military History / P. Connolly; per. from English S. Lopukhova, A. Khromova. - M .: Eksmo-Press, 2000.
Robinson, R. Armor of the Peoples of the East. The history of defensive weapons / R. Robinson; per. from English S. Fedorova. - M.: Tsentrpoligraf, 2006.
Shpakovsky, V. O. Horsemen with bas-reliefs / V. O. Shpakovsky // History Illustrated. - 2013. - No. 1.
Feugere, M. Weapons of the Romans / M. Feugere; translated from French by David G. Smith. - UK: Tempus Publishing Ltd, 2002.
Nicolle, D. Rome's Enemies (5): The Desert Frontier / D. Nicolle. - L .: Osprey (Men-at-Arms No. 243), 1991.
Robinson, HR The armor of Imperial Rome / HR Robinson. - L .: Arms and Armor Press, 1975.
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