MARCO AURELIO COLUMN

Marco Aurelio Column - click to enlarge

Marco Aurelio Column, built by his son Commodo, depicts the wars fought by the Emperor versus Marcomanni, Quadi, Iazygi, Vandali and Longobardi, since 168 to 174 AD.

The column 100 Roman feet tall (about 29 meters), just as Traian Column, is formed by 20 Carrara marble rocks of 3.70 meters in diameter, carved in the interior, to form a 203 step spiral staircase.

The episodes depicted along the Column follow each other from bottom to the top, below we show you:
The Danube god propitiates the crossing of the Roman army.

The Roman army leaves from the fortress of Carnuntum and crosses the Danube over a pontoon.

The Roman army marches versus the enemies.

At the beginning of the war Marco Aurelio sacrifices to the gods a bull, a pig and a lamb (latin=lustratio).

Marco Aurelio Column - click to enlarge
Danube god	Crossing of the Danube	Lustratio

Marco Aurelio addresses the legionary (latin=Adlocutio); Marco Aurelio advances with his cavalry.

In the land of the Quadi a tremendous drought invests the Romans. Marco Aurelio addresses a prayer to the gods who send a divinity to rescue the Roman army.

The Roman soldiers protected by the segmented cuirass (latin=lorica segmentata), advance against the enemies.

Marco Aurelio Column - click to enlarge
Marco Aurelio advances with his cavalry	Divinity of rain	Roman soldiers

The Roman cavalry charges the barbarians. The barbarians are overwhelmed by the Roman cavalry. Women and children are captured by the Romans.

The Romans cross a river over a pontoon.

Marco Aurelio leads the advance of the Roman army, that advances compact.

The Romans put to flight the cavalry of the Barbarians.

Marco Aurelio leads the legions and defeats the enemies.

Marco Aurelio Column - click to enlarge
The Romans cross a river	Marco Aurelio	Marco Aurelio leads the legions

The Roman legionaires form a testudo to go on attack of a fortress in which the barbarians repaired.

The Romans put to flight the enemy and take prisoners; then the Romans set on fire a city of the barbarians.

The Roman cavalry pursuits the enemy.

Marco Aurelio Column - click to enlarge
Testudo	The Romans set on fire the city	The Roman cavalry pursuits the enemy

Defeat of the barbarians and surrender of the barbarians.

The Romans capture herds and take prisoners.

The leaders of the barbarians give themselves up to Marco Aurelio.

Marco Aurelio Column - click to enlarge
Defeat of the barbarians	Surrender of the barbarians	Delivery to Marco Aurelio

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