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The Column of Phocas, located in the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy, is one of the last monumental additions to the Forum and a significant artifact from the early Byzantine period. Erected in 608 CE, it stands as a testament to the transition from classical Roman to medieval Christian Rome, reflecting the political, cultural, and architectural shifts of the time.
The Column of Phocas was dedicated on August 1, 608 CE, to the
Byzantine Emperor Phocas (reigned 602–610 CE), a controversial figure
whose rule was marked by internal strife and external threats. The
column was erected by Smagardus, the Exarch of Ravenna (the Byzantine
governor of Italy), as a gesture of loyalty to Phocas during a period of
political instability in the Byzantine Empire.
Context of Phocas’
Reign
Phocas came to power through a violent coup, overthrowing and
executing Emperor Maurice in 602 CE. His reign was tumultuous,
characterized by rebellions, economic decline, and military losses,
particularly against the Persians and Avars.
In Rome, which was no
longer the political center of the empire (Constantinople had taken that
role), Phocas’ influence was limited. However, his approval was sought
for significant actions, such as the conversion of the Pantheon into a
Christian church (Santa Maria ad Martyres) in 609 CE, under Pope
Boniface IV.
The dedication of the column to Phocas was likely a
strategic move by Smagardus to secure favor with the emperor during a
time of uncertainty, as the Byzantine Empire struggled to maintain
control over Italy amid Lombard invasions.
Purpose of the Column
The column was not built from scratch but was a reused monument, a
common practice in late antiquity when resources were scarce, and the
Roman Forum was no longer a hub of new construction. It was likely taken
from an earlier Roman structure, possibly a temple or another public
monument.
The column was topped with a gilded statue of Phocas, which
has since been lost, and bore an inscription praising the emperor. This
dedication was a rare instance of imperial commemoration in Rome during
the Byzantine period, reflecting the city’s continued symbolic
importance.
Historical Significance
The Column of Phocas is
often cited as the last monumental erection in the Roman Forum, marking
the end of the Forum’s role as a center of civic and imperial activity.
After 608 CE, the Forum gradually fell into disuse, becoming a quarry
for building materials and a site for Christian churches.
Phocas’
reign ended abruptly in 610 CE when he was overthrown and executed by
Heraclius. The statue of Phocas atop the column was likely removed or
destroyed shortly afterward, as his legacy was vilified by his
successors.
The column’s dedication also reflects the growing
influence of the papacy in Rome, as the city’s governance increasingly
fell to the Church rather than Byzantine officials.
The Column of Phocas is a relatively simple but striking monument,
characteristic of late antique architecture, which prioritized reuse and
symbolic gesture over the grandeur of earlier Roman constructions.
Structure
Material and Design: The column is a Corinthian column
made of white marble, standing approximately 13.6 meters (44.6 feet)
tall, including its base and capital. It is fluted, with 24 vertical
grooves, and features a classic Corinthian capital adorned with acanthus
leaves, a hallmark of Roman architectural ornamentation.
Base:
The column stands on a square pedestal made of brick, which was later
clad in marble. This pedestal elevates the column slightly above the
Forum’s ground level, which had risen significantly by the 7th century
due to centuries of debris accumulation.
Inscription: The
pedestal bears a Latin inscription, carved into a marble slab, which
reads:
“Optimo clementiss[imo piissimoque] principi domino
n[ostro] Focae imperatori perpetuo a Deo coronato, triumphatori semper
Augusto, Smaragdus ex praepos[ito] sacri palatii ac patricius et
exarchus Italiae, devotus eius clementiae, pro innumerabilibus pietatis
eius beneficiis et pro quiete procurata Ital[iae] ac libertate
conservata, hanc statuam maiestatis eius, auri splendore fulgentem, huic
sublimi colum[nae] ad perpetuam ipsius gloriam imposuit et dedicavit,
die prima mensis Augusti, indictione undicesima, post consulatum eius
anno quinto.”
Translation: “To the best, most clement, and pious
prince, our lord Phocas, perpetual emperor, crowned by God, triumphant,
forever Augustus, Smaragdus, former prefect of the sacred palace,
patrician, and exarch of Italy, devoted to his clemency, for the
countless benefits of his piety and for the peace secured for Italy and
the liberty preserved, placed and dedicated this statue of his majesty,
gleaming with the splendor of gold, on this lofty column for his eternal
glory, on the first day of August, in the eleventh indiction, in the
fifth year after his consulship.”
This inscription emphasizes
Phocas’ virtues and Smaragdus’ gratitude, though it likely exaggerates
the emperor’s achievements given his troubled reign.
Statue
(Lost)
The column originally supported a gilded bronze statue of
Phocas, likely depicting him in imperial regalia, standing or seated.
Such statues were common for Roman and Byzantine emperors, symbolizing
their authority and divine favor.
The statue was probably removed
after Phocas’ overthrow in 610 CE, as his memory was condemned. No trace
of it remains, and its exact appearance is unknown.
Location in
the Forum
The column is situated in the central area of the Roman
Forum, near the Rostra (the speaker’s platform) and the Arch of
Septimius Severus. Its placement in such a prominent location
underscores its symbolic importance, as the Forum was still a
prestigious, if decaying, public space in 608 CE.
The column stands
alone, without the architectural context of a larger complex, which
makes it appear somewhat isolated compared to earlier Roman monuments
like the Column of Trajan or the Column of Marcus Aurelius, both of
which were part of larger narrative ensembles.
State of
Preservation
The column itself is well-preserved, with its marble
shaft and Corinthian capital largely intact. The fluting and decorative
details remain sharp, though weathered by centuries of exposure.
The
brick pedestal has suffered more damage, and the marble cladding added
in the 19th century during restoration efforts obscures some of its
original appearance.
The surrounding area of the Forum, excavated in
the 19th and 20th centuries, reveals the column’s base at a lower level
than the medieval ground, providing a clearer view of its proportions.
The Column of Phocas holds multiple layers of historical and cultural
significance:
End of an Era:
As the last monument erected in
the Roman Forum, the column marks the symbolic end of the Forum’s role
as a center of Roman political and civic life. By 608 CE, Rome was a
shadow of its imperial past, and the column’s erection reflects a
nostalgic attempt to evoke Roman grandeur in a Byzantine context.
The
reuse of an older column highlights the economic and cultural decline of
the period, as new monumental constructions were rare.
Byzantine
Influence in Rome:
The column underscores the Byzantine Empire’s
continued, albeit weakened, authority over Rome. The dedication by
Smaragdus, the Exarch of Ravenna, reflects the administrative structure
of Byzantine Italy, where Ravenna was the primary power center.
The
column’s erection also coincides with the growing influence of the
papacy, as seen in the nearby conversion of the Pantheon into a church,
signaling the Christianization of Rome’s pagan spaces.
Political
Propaganda:
The inscription’s lavish praise of Phocas was likely a
calculated act of flattery by Smaragdus, who needed to secure his
position in a volatile political climate. The column thus serves as a
rare surviving example of Byzantine imperial propaganda in Rome.
Phocas’ short and unpopular reign makes the column a poignant reminder
of the fragility of power in late antiquity.
Archaeological and
Artistic Value:
The column is a key artifact for understanding the
transition from classical to medieval Rome, bridging the Roman and
Byzantine worlds.
Its Corinthian design and reused materials offer
insights into late antique architectural practices, particularly the
reliance on spolia (repurposed materials).
Condition: The Column of Phocas is in good condition, thanks to its
sturdy marble construction and periodic conservation efforts. The shaft
and capital are largely intact, though the pedestal shows signs of wear
and restoration. The absence of the statue and any decorative elements
like the gilding limits its original grandeur.
Accessibility: The
column is freely visible to visitors to the Roman Forum, which requires
an entry ticket (typically combined with access to the Colosseum and
Palatine Hill). It stands in an open area of the Forum, easily
accessible on foot, and is often included in guided tours of the site.
Restoration and Excavation: The column was excavated and studied during
the 19th-century archaeological campaigns in the Roman Forum, which
cleared centuries of debris to reveal the Forum’s ancient ground level.
Modern conservation focuses on protecting the marble from environmental
damage and stabilizing the pedestal.
Tourist Experience: The column
is a popular photo spot in the Forum, though it is often overshadowed by
more famous monuments like the Arch of Titus or the Temple of Saturn.
Its historical significance is best appreciated with a guide or
informational plaque, as the inscription is not easily readable without
translation.
Misidentification: For centuries, the column was mistakenly thought
to be the Column of Trajan or another imperial monument, as its
dedication to Phocas was not fully understood until modern
archaeological studies.
Symbolic Isolation: The column’s solitary
placement in the Forum, without accompanying structures, mirrors the
decline of Rome’s civic life and the fragmentation of the Byzantine
Empire’s western territories.
Phocas’ Legacy: Despite his
vilification in Byzantine sources, the column’s survival has preserved
Phocas’ name in Rome, ironically outlasting the memory of many “greater”
emperors.
Nearby Monuments: The column’s proximity to early Christian
churches like San Lorenzo in Miranda and Santa Maria Antiqua highlights
the Christianization of the Forum in late antiquity.