Column of Marcus Aurelius
A satellite photo can be found here.
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Column of Marcus Aurelius |
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| Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius. | ||
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Bust of Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome between 161 and 180 (British Museum). Although he is often called the "philosopher on the throne" or the "philosopher-emperor", he was also one of the greatest warriors of the Roman empire, and may also be called "a philosopher in arms" - with more justification that Alexander the Great, who did in fact receive this title. |
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The column of Marcus Aurelius commemorates his northern war, probably the largest Roman war since the civil wars. In the winter of 168/169, Marcus Aurelius attacked the tribes across the northern frontier of the empire: the Marcomanni and Quadi in Czechia and Sarmatians in Hungary. After initial setbacks, they were defeated in 175. Later, the war was continued, and Marcus died at the front, in Vindobona (modern Vienna). His son Commodus signed a peace treaty and erected this column as a monument to his father. It was nicknamed Centenaria, 'the hundredfooter', because it was 100 Roman feet or 29.60 meters high. | |
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On the top was a statue of Marcus Aurelius. Today, the apostle Paul stands there. | |
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The inscription on the base of the column gives the honorific titles of the emperor. | |
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The relief of the column of Marcus Aurelius. Among those who are also represented are Commodus, who erected the monument, and Pertinax, Marcus Aurelius' best general, and, ironically, the man who succeeded Commodus. | |
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During the northern war, the legion XII Fulminata (the 'Thundering legion') was surrounded by the Quadi and almost forced into surrender because the soldiers had no water. However, when disaster seemed inevitable, a heavy shower relieved the Romans. This Rain miracle seems to have happened in 172. The full story can be found here. |
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The destruction of a Germanic village by Roman soldiers. |
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A man speared to death.
A satellite photo can be found here. |
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