[2025 Rome Attraction] Travel Guide for Column of Phocas (Updated Oct)

The Roman Forum was the beating heart of ancient Rome, a bustling public square where citizens came to socialize, worship, and do business. Today, this open-air archaeological wonder transports visitors back in time to the heyday of the Roman Empire. Its ruins and impressive monuments provide a glimpse into the city's rich history and offer a sense of awe and wonder at the remarkable achievements of one of the world's greatest civilizations. A visit to the Roman Forum is an absolute must. Add this #beautifuldestination to your #travelbucketlist 🌎

#holidayitinerary You face a lonely Corinthian column soaring 13m into the Roman sky—crowned by nothing but empty air. Around it, the Forum’s ruins sprawl like fallen giants. This was the last monument ever erected here (608 CE), a flicker of imperial pride as Rome crumbled into darkness. Feel the silence: no cheering crowds, only the ghosts of Byzantines and barbarians. Touch the weathered marble where medieval cattle rubbed their flanks, and Renaissance scholars sketched the "mystery pillar" that sparked modern archaeology. Key Details & Secrets: 🏛️ Architectural Anomaly: Height: 13.6m (44.6 ft) on a stepped brick plinth. Material: White Proconnesian marble, scavenged from older monuments. Crown: Once held a gilt bronze statue of Phocas (stolen by Lombards). Survival: Buried up to its capital until 1813—saved from medieval lime-burners. 📜 The Story: Phocas (602–610 CE): Butcher-emperor who seized Byzantium’s throne, murdered his predecessor, and gifted the Pantheon to the Pope. The Column: Erected by Exarch Smaragdus to flatter Phocas—then damnatio memoriae struck when Phocas was executed. Irony: Rome’s "last imperial monument" honored history’s most revised emperor. 🔍 Must-See Features: The Inscription: "Optimo clementiss[imo] piiss[imo]que / principi domino n[ostro] / F[ocae] imperatori perpetuo / a deo coronato, triumphatori / semper Augusto" (Translation: "To the best, most merciful and pious prince, our lord Phocas, perpetual emperor, crowned by God, ever-victorious Augustus") Recycled Plinth: Originally built for Diocletian’s monuments (284–305 CE). Medieval Wear: Bovine scratch marks near the base (c. 900–1500 CE). Viewing Platform: Stand where Piranesi sketched in 1756, igniting Forum excavations. 📍 Location: Roman Forum’s central axis, facing the Rostra and Arch of Septimius Severus. Coordinates: 41.8925° N, 12.4849° E ⏰ Access: Forum Ticket: €24 combined pass (Colosseum-Forum-Palatine). Viewing: Always visible—no barriers. Why It’s Unique: A Time Capsule of Transition: 608 CE: Last gasp of imperial Rome. Middle Ages: Mistaken for "Brutus’ Column"—cattle shelter. 1813: Excavated by Stuart & Revett—first scientific dig in the Forum. Today: Symbol of archaeology’s birth. ⚠️ Pro Tips: Best Light: High noon—sharp shadows reveal inscription grooves. Secret Context: Stand at the Rostra—see how Phocas "faces" Severus’ Arch (empire’s start vs. end). Hidden Detail: Find Renaissance cow graffiti (left side, near plinth). Combine With: Temple of Saturn (behind it)—Phocas’ statue likely looted from there. Hidden Stories: 👑 The Puppet’s Tribute: Exarch Smaragdus dedicated the column hoping Phocas would grant Rome autonomy. Instead, Phocas sent his head on a spike. 🔍 Birth of Archaeology: When dug up in 1813, Phocas’ name stunned scholars—proving the Forum was layered history, not "mythic ruins." 🐄 Medieval Barnyard: Farmers grazed sheep here for centuries. The column’s base was a scratching post—deep gr

#romanforum The Column of Phocas stands as the last monument ever added to the Roman Forum, erected in 608 AD. This tall, solitary column honors the Byzantine Emperor Phocas, yet its true significance lies in marking the Forum’s final days as a political center. Compared to the Forum’s older ruins, this column feels almost out of place, representing a changing Rome. Though it may not be as grand as other structures, its presence is a poignant reminder of the empire’s decline. For those interested in the transition from ancient to medieval Rome, it’s a fascinating and often-overlooked landmark.

It may not look like much today and among all the other ancient ruins and buildings around, it may even be overlooked by many, but the Column of Phocas has a fascinating history. It was erected in 608 AD. and was erected to celebrate the reconquest of Rome by the Eastern Roman Empire otherwise known as Byzantium. It was the last architectural edition made to the Roman forum of more than 1300 years of construction. #celebrateit #rome #ancient