The Column of Phocas stands in the Roman Forum as its last known honorary monument, dedicated in 608 AD to the Eastern emperor Phocas. Its Corinthian marble shaft is older, reused from a 2nd-century structure, and rises from a base that was also repurposed. Look for it from different points around the Forum, including views from Capitoline Hill and Palatine Hill. It is a compact stop with a long story, linking Rome’s final ancient monuments to the period when Rome and Constantinople were under the same state.
The Forum’s final honorary monument
The Column of Phocas was dedicated in 608 AD to the Eastern emperor Phocas. It is identified as the last known honorary monument raised in the Roman Forum, added centuries after the square’s earlier monuments. At the time, Rome and Constantinople were part of the same state following Justinian’s reconquest of Italy from the Ostrogoths.
The dedication was made by Smaragdus, exarch of Ravenna. The column’s place in the Forum records a period when Rome remained connected to the eastern empire, even as the city’s political circumstances had changed.
A reused shaft and base
The fluted Corinthian shaft is made from Proconnesian marble and dates to the 2nd century. It was reused for the monument to Phocas, a common practice in Rome. The base was reused too: it had previously carried a dedication to Diocletian. A brick-and-marble plinth supports the column.
A gilded statue of Phocas once stood at its top. The statue is gone, leaving the column itself as the visible focus of the monument.
The inscription and the monument’s recovery
The base was buried by the early modern period, so the column appeared to rise directly from the surrounding rubble. Excavations in 1813 uncovered the base and its inscription, revealing more about the monument’s dedication.
From within the Forum, you can see the column against the surrounding archaeological remains. It can also be viewed from different vantage points around Capitoline Hill and Palatine Hill, giving you a sense of its position within the ancient square.
FAQ
When was the Column of Phocas erected?
It was dedicated in 608 AD and is considered the last known honorary monument raised in the Roman Forum.
Was the column made for Phocas?
The marble shaft dates to the 2nd century and was reused for the monument. Its base had also been used before, for a dedication to Diocletian.
How long should I spend at the Column of Phocas?
The input does not specify a typical visit length. The column is within the Roman Forum, where you can also explore nearby archaeological remains.
When is a good time to see the column?
Early morning or sunset can bring quieter views.
