Justice of Trajan
Encyclopedia
The Justice of Trajan is a legendary episode in the life of Roman Emperor
Trajan
, based upon Dio Cassius
' account (Epitome of Book LXVIII, chapter 10): "He did not, however, as might have been expected of a warlike man, pay any less attention to the civil administration nor did he dispense justice any the less; on the contrary, he conducted trials, now in the Forum of Augustus, now in the Portico of Livia, as it was called, and often elsewhere on a tribunal."
According to the story, Trajan, busy with preparations for the Dacian Wars, was petitioned for justice by the mother of a murdered man. He asked her to wait until he returned, but she pointed out that he might not return at all. He made time to settle her case despite all the other calls on his time. The legend, though indirectly, was popularized by Dante
in The Divine Comedy
, alluded to in the Paradise, and recounted in Purgatory, X, 73-94:
The origin of the legend and its vicissitudes since antiquity have been the subject of several studies, including detailed "Leggende" by G. Boni, published in 1906. The episode was reflected in several works of art and in the verse The Justice by Belarusian poet Simeon of Polotsk (1629—1680). Among artists that depicted the legend are Eugène Delacroix
, Roger van der Weyden
, Hans Sebald Beham
, Noël Coypel
and Noël Hallé
. A French painter Raoul Dufy
was inspired by Delacroix's painting of the justice.
Historically, the justice of Trajan may also refer either to what was described by Pliny the Younger
(Epistulae, VI, 31, a court trial in Centumcellae) or depicted on Trajan's Column
, where Trajan judges the captured barbarian chiefs, or to a lost painting by Rogier van der Weyden. (The city of Brussels commisssioned Van der Weyden to paint four large panel paintings for the Brussels Town Hall
illustrating the 'Justice of Trajan' and the 'Justice of Herkenbald'; they were destroyed when the French bombarded the city in 1695
).
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Trajan
Trajan
Trajan , was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against...
, based upon Dio Cassius
Dio Cassius
Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus , known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was a Roman consul and a noted historian writing in Greek...
' account (Epitome of Book LXVIII, chapter 10): "He did not, however, as might have been expected of a warlike man, pay any less attention to the civil administration nor did he dispense justice any the less; on the contrary, he conducted trials, now in the Forum of Augustus, now in the Portico of Livia, as it was called, and often elsewhere on a tribunal."
According to the story, Trajan, busy with preparations for the Dacian Wars, was petitioned for justice by the mother of a murdered man. He asked her to wait until he returned, but she pointed out that he might not return at all. He made time to settle her case despite all the other calls on his time. The legend, though indirectly, was popularized by Dante
DANTE
Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe is a not-for-profit organisation that plans, builds and operates the international networks that interconnect the various national research and education networks in Europe and surrounding regions...
in The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature...
, alluded to in the Paradise, and recounted in Purgatory, X, 73-94:
The origin of the legend and its vicissitudes since antiquity have been the subject of several studies, including detailed "Leggende" by G. Boni, published in 1906. The episode was reflected in several works of art and in the verse The Justice by Belarusian poet Simeon of Polotsk (1629—1680). Among artists that depicted the legend are Eugène Delacroix
Eugène Delacroix
Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix was a French Romantic artist regarded from the outset of his career as the leader of the French Romantic school...
, Roger van der Weyden
Roger van der Weyden
Rogier van der Weyden or Rogier de le Pasture was an Early Flemish painter. His surviving works consist mainly of religious triptychs, altarpieces and commissioned single and diptych portraits. Although his life was generally uneventful, he was highly successful and internationally famous in his...
, Hans Sebald Beham
Hans Sebald Beham
Hans Sebald Beham was a German printmaker who did his best work as an engraver, and was also a designer of woodcuts and a painter and miniaturist...
, Noël Coypel
Noël Coypel
Noël Coypel , French painter, also called, from the fact that he was much influenced by Poussin, Coypel le Poussin, was the son of an unsuccessful artist....
and Noël Hallé
Noël Hallé
Noël Hallé was a French painter, draftsman and printmaker. He was born into a family of artists, the son of Claude-Guy Hallé....
. A French painter Raoul Dufy
Raoul Dufy
Raoul Dufy[p] was a French Fauvist painter. He developed a colorful, decorative style that became fashionable for designs of ceramics and textiles, as well as decorative schemes for public buildings. He is noted for scenes of open-air social events...
was inspired by Delacroix's painting of the justice.
Historically, the justice of Trajan may also refer either to what was described by Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger
Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo , better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate him...
(Epistulae, VI, 31, a court trial in Centumcellae) or depicted on Trajan's Column
Trajan's Column
Trajan's Column is a Roman triumphal column in Rome, Italy, which commemorates Roman emperor Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars. It was probably constructed under the supervision of the architect Apollodorus of Damascus at the order of the Roman Senate. It is located in Trajan's Forum, built near...
, where Trajan judges the captured barbarian chiefs, or to a lost painting by Rogier van der Weyden. (The city of Brussels commisssioned Van der Weyden to paint four large panel paintings for the Brussels Town Hall
Brussels Town Hall
The Town Hall of the City of Brussels is a Gothic building from the Middle Ages. It is located on the famous Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium....
illustrating the 'Justice of Trajan' and the 'Justice of Herkenbald'; they were destroyed when the French bombarded the city in 1695
Bombardment of Brussels
The bombardment of Brussels by French troops of King Louis XIV on August 13, 14 and 15, 1695 and the resulting fire were together the most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. The Grand Place was destroyed, along with a third of the buildings in the city...
).
External links
- Trajan and the Widow Italian panel Simeon of Polotsk's The Justice
- translation of Dante's Divine Comedy
- translation of Cassius Dio's chapter on Trajan
Further reading
- Jean Seznec. "Diderot and The Justice of Trajan". Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, vol. 20, no. 1/2.
- Elena Sharnova. "A Newly Discovered Justice of Trajan from the Second School of Fontainebleau". Burlington Magazine, vol. 142, no. 1166