ROME -- A new exhibition on the Trajan Column at the Colosseum opened Friday and runs to April 30. Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano and Colosseum Archaeological Park director, Alfonsina Russo, opened the exhibit at a news conference Thursday.

 The multimedia show is comfortably spread out on the top floor of the Flavian amphitheatre. Its 1:1 scale reliefs are wrapped around the pillars as your proceed through the presentation.

 The narrative begins with the story of the Emperor Trajan and of the Column’s architect Apollodorus who built it at the Trajan Forum just north of the main Roman Forum, a short distance from the modern Piazza Venezia.

 On display is a Flemish tapestry from the second half of the 16th century which shows the architect presenting the Column to Emperor Trajan and an interpretation of how the column was built.

 After highlighting the design of the 185 step internal staircase inside the column, visitors learn how the marble was transported by sea, river, and land from the Carrara quarry and also how it was moved into place to create the column.

 The highlight of the show is a brief 3D video that takes you through the story of the reliefs by unwrapping the column and reviewing both Dacian Wars that are represented.

 The lower half of the column focuses on the first war (101-102) and the top half on the second war (105-106). Other highlights in the video include the bridge built by Trajan across the Danube river, the death of the Dacian King Decebalus and the treatment of Roman prisoners by the Dacian women.

 The differences between the Dacian and Roman soldiers dress and armor are also explained in the video. Trajan himself is represented 58 times throughout the column.

 At the end of the show there is a section which shows the number of castings made of the column throughout history including by French King Louis XIV and Napoleon III.

 Lastly the show highlights how the column, has lasted through history respected by rulers, protected by the Vatican and today on display for us. Entrance to the exhibition is included in the ticket price for the colosseum.

 jp-ml