The Column of Marcus Aurelius

The Column of Marcus Aurelius 

I was tasked with creating a presentation to inform my classmates on the Column of Marcus Aurelius and I dutifully obliged...eventually. Unfortunately I did all of my research on a classmates computer and I threw my notes in the garbage at a Pizza joint across the street from the column.

The first thing you need to know about the column is that it is large, incredibly large. The capitol block on the Column of Marcus Aurelius weighs an astounding 79 tons. The total height of the colum is 130 feet, 100 feet for the shaft, and a 30 foot base

To understand the importance of the column, it is important, first, to get a background on Marcus Aurelius himself. He was born into an affluent house, his grandfather was serving his second term as consul as well as being a prefect of Rome when Marcus was born. In addition to that, his aunt on his father's side was married to Antonius Pius, whom Marcus would eventually succeed. His grandmother on his mother's side was heiress to one of the largest Roman fortunes. 

Marcus was put into every position to become emperor, in 136, Hadrian announced his successor, Lucius Ceionius Commodus. In that same year, Marcus became engaged to Ceionia Fabia, Commodus' daughter. In 138, however, Commodus died, and after the death of Hadrian, the engagement was annulled. Antonius Pius was eventually adopted by Hadrian before his death, and it was arranged that Antonius Pius adopt Marcus.

Marcus was marked as future joint emperor at the age of 17, though he would not rule until he was 40. He worked beside Antonius, learning the ins and outs of the government, as well as filling public positions. He served as consul multiple times, in the years 140, 145, and 161, the last of which he was consul with his adoptive brother Lucius Verus. It is in 161 as well that Antonius Pius passed away, and Marcus became emperor, and Lucius was made co emperor.

Their reign immediately saw conflict, in 161 the Parthians invaded, and Verus commanded Romes armies in the following war. in 166 Rome saw victory, however, the returning armies brought home a plague that damaged the empire. Shortly after, Marcus and Verus set out on an expedition seeking to strengthen the empire, however, German tribes immediately invaded. The empire, being weakened, sold off imperial property to found their army. The Germans were being fought well, but in 169 Verus died. 3 years of conflict saw resolution to the fighting.

Marcus named his 16 year old son, Commodus, Joint Emperor in 177, and together they went to war looking to expand Rome's northern territories. In the year 180, Marcus Aurelius passed away in his military headquarters.

 The creation of the column was in honor of Marcus, and to celebrate his military victories. We know that the column was completed by 193, when Adrastus, the procurator of the column, requested the bricks and building materials of the sheds and other buildings that were put up around the column during its construction for the purpose of building himself a house behind it. The column was built with 31 blocks of marble, 10 blocks form the pedestal, 19 form the column, one on top of the capital, and one had been atop that to provide support for the statue, but was missing by the 16th century. the drums of the colum are 5 1/4 Roman feet tall and contain 4 steps (risers)

Much of the Pedestal is buried, and the frieze that had been on it has long since faded away, and been replaced with an inscription by the church. The original frieze showed two barbarians kneeling and offering themselves to the emperor, and is a symbol of submission. 

The helical frieze is over 200 feet in length and is broken into 116 units. The first scene included in the frieze is copied directly from Trajan's column. Beyond this, most scenes are relating to Marcus' wars, though the only scene that can be derived from history is the "Rain Miracle", which still doesn't match the stories told. 

The carvings of the frieze are often considered "messy" thought that can be attributed to a change in Roman carving. Most of the figures have disproportionately large heads, to show details of emotions, and the carvings are much deeper into the column.

The column was ordered to be restored by pope Sixtus V in 1589. In addition to restoration, a bronze statue of the apostle St. Paul was placed on the top platform. (to go with the placement of St. Peter atop Trajan's column) In addition, where the original pedestal relief was, is now a carving that states:

Sixtus V, High Priest

restored this spiral column,

dedicated to the emperor Antonius,

sadly broken and ruinous,

into its original form.

1589, 4th year of his pontificate.