Tropaion
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A tropaion (
Greece
In the Greek
During later eras in the Greek world, intention to build a tropaia might be declared at the battlefield, but in fact, erected at pan-Hellenic sanctuaries such as Olympia or Delphi, further increasing the prestige of the victorious state.
The significance of the monument was a ritualistic notification of "victory" to the defeated enemies. Since warfare in the Greek world was largely a ritualistic affair in the archaic hoplite-age (see Hanson, The Western Way of War for further elaboration of this idea), the monument was used to reinforce the symbolic capital of the victory in the Greek community.
Another interpretation of the tropaion is that it was a monument dedicated to the slaughter of the enemy. Key passages describe that the tropaion was the last stage of battle, following the critical rout and chase of the enemy.[1][2] A critical passage of Thucydides suggests that the tropaion was set up to celebrate the enemy killed in battle.[3]
Ancient sources attest to the great deal of significance that early Greek cities placed upon symbols and ritual as linked to warfare – for example, the story in Herodotus 1, involving the bones of Orestes that greatly exceeds the ritualistic properties to even magically 'guaranteeing' the Spartan victory, displays the same sort of interest in objects and symbols of power as they relate to military success or failure.
Rome
In Ancient Rome, on the other hand, their tropaeum probably would not be set up on the battlefield, but rather, it would be displayed prominently in the city of Rome. During the later years of the Republic, Romans were less concerned about impressing foreign powers or military rivals than they were in using military success to further their own political careers. A tropaeum displayed on the battlefield likely could not win votes, but one displayed in the city as part of a triumph could impress the citizens during later elections. Neither did a battlefield display gain desired prestige among competitive nobles.
The symbolic effectiveness of the tropaeum became so well recognized that, in later eras, Romans chose to display sculpted reliefs of them for an enduring record of their victories rather than the fleeting presence of one constructed in the traditional fashion (see image and Tropaeum Traiani).
Gallery
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Tropaeum scene on the Tropaeum Alpium with male on the left and female on the right
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A tropaeum upon a tree on this 42 BC Roman coin dedicated to Brutus combines naval imagery
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Tropaeum on Roman coin 46-45 BC with male on the left and female on the right
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A Roman tropaeum displayed on crossed stakes inside theMusei Capitolinicourtyard
See also
- Trophy (architectural)
- Tropaeum Traiani (built for Emperor Trajan 109 AD)
- Tropaeum Alpium (built for Emperor Caesar Augustus c. 6 BC)
- Spolia opima
- Gemma Augustea raising a tropaeum
- War memorial
- War trophy
References
Further reading
- Hanson, Victor Davis. The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece. ISBN 0-520-21911-2.
- Kinnee, Lauren. The Greek and Roman Trophy: From Battlefield Marker to Icon of Power. ISBN 978-0415788380.
External links
- Ancient Roman trophies on Wikimedia