Trajan's Forum

This forum was built on the order of the emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia, which ended in 106.[1] The construction began between 105 and 107;[2] according to the Fasti Ostienses the Forum was inaugurated in 112. Trajan's Column was erected and then inaugurated in 113.

To build this monumental complex, extensive excavations were required: workers eliminated a ridge connecting the Quirinal and Capitoline (Campidoglio) Hills. Over 300,000 cubic meters of soil and rock were excavated and dumped outside the Porta Collina.[2][3]

It is possible that the excavations were initiated under Emperor Domitian, while the project of the Forum was completely attributed to the architect Apollodorus of Damascus,[1] who also accompanied Emperor Trajan in the Dacian campaign.

During the time of the construction, several other projects took place: the construction of the Market of Trajan,[1] the renovation of Caesar's Forum (where the Basilica Argentaria was built) and the Temple of Venus Genetrix.

^ a b c Cite error: The named reference roth was invoked but never defined (see the help page). ^ a b Andrea Carandini (2017). Atlas of Ancient Rome. Princeton University Press. p. 176. ^ Rodolfo Lanciani (1897). The Ruins and Excavations of Ancient Rome. Houghton Mifflin. p. 312.