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Equestrian Statue of Trajan

Equus Traiani, or the "horse of Trajan," was a colossal bronze equestrian statue representing the Roman emperor Trajan. It is thought to have been larger than the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, by about 1.6 to 1.7 times, and may have reached 10 to 12 metres including its pedestal. The statue was erected in Trajan's Forum between 112 and 114 to commemorate the conquest of Dacia. Contemporary coinage shows the horse lifting its right front leg and the emperor with his right arm extended, holding either a spear or a statuette of Victory. The discovery of its base foundations established its position in the forum.

Trajan\'s Equestrian Statue showing an armored rider on a horse with one front leg raised.
Trajan\'s Equestrian Statue depicts an armored emperor riding a horse in a dynamic pose.
March 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Trajan\'s equestrian statue showing an armored rider on a horse with one foreleg raised, holding an object aloft.
A weathered reconstruction of Trajan\'s equestrian statue shows the emperor mounted on a horse in a dynamic pose.
March 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Reverse of a Roman coin showing Trajan’s equestrian statue with a mounted figure holding a spear.
Reverse of a Roman denarius depicting Trajan’s equestrian statue, with the emperor shown on horseback holding a spear.
March 2011 © CNG · CC BY-SA 2.5
Equus Traiani marked as a red dot on a black-and-white map of ancient Rome.
Equus Traiani is highlighted as a red dot on a map of ancient Rome, within the Forum Traiani area.
1916 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Identification

TitleEquestrian statue of Trajan
Original nameEquus Traiani
Literal meaning of name"Trajan's horse"
Typeequestrian statue
SubjectEmperor Trajan on horseback

Historical context

Date erectedbetween 112 and 114 CE
PurposeTo commemorate the conquest of Dacia
Historical contextErected shortly after Trajan's victories over the Dacians
Associated complexBuilt at the same time as Trajan's Forum

Creator

ArtistApollodorus of Damascus

Discovery and provenance

Evidence for appearanceKnown through an image on denarii minted by Trajan
Evidence for locationThe discovery of the foundations of its base established its exact position
Location within the forumIn the center of Trajan's Forum, 25 meters from the center of the square and 30 meters from the monumental façade marking its southern boundary
Base dimensions3.76 × 7.54 meters

Physical characteristics

Relative size to Marcus Aurelius statueprobably 60% to 70% larger than the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius
Estimated total heightabout 10–12 meters including the base
Scalecolossal

Materials

Materialbronze

Appearance

DepictionTrajan seated on a horse
Attiremilitary dress
Right hand attributea spear pointing downward
Left hand attributea statuette of Victoria

Iconography and meaning

Meaning of spear gesturesymbol of pacification
Meaning of Victoria figuresymbol of victory

Location and ownership

Original locationTrajan's Forum, Rome

History and restoration

State of preservation in 357Still existing and perfectly preserved according to Ammianus Marcellinus
Ancient testimonyConstantius II, during his visit to Rome in 357, wanted to copy the statue and was struck by its colossal dimensions
Later fateNo trace has survived into modern times; its subsequent fate is unknown

Significance

Historical receptionGreatly admired by viewers
Comparative noteThe equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius survives, and its pose appears to have copied the horse and rider of Trajan's statue