Today I Take You to the Roman Forum

The Plutei of Trajan in the Curia Julia: A Bridge Between Power and People

Today I Take You to the Roman Forum. As you walk through the Curia Julia, the ancient seat of the Roman Senate in the heart of the Forum, your gaze is inevitably drawn to two extraordinary marble reliefs: the Plutei of Trajan. They were not originally placed here, yet today they tell a powerful and enduring story.

Created in the early 2nd century AD, these sculpted panels celebrate Emperor Trajan as a guarantor of social justice. In one relief, he is shown establishing the alimenta, a welfare system designed to support poor and orphaned children. In the other, Trajan returns confiscated property to Roman citizens, offering a striking image of fairness and good governance.

Stone as a Political Message

The Plutei are more than imperial propaganda. They convey a message carved into marble: power must serve the common good. Through carefully constructed imagery, Trajan presents himself not only as ruler, but as protector of the people, embodying the ideals of equity and responsibility.

Now preserved inside the Curia Julia, these reliefs continue to speak to us across the centuries. They remind us of a time when art was inseparable from politics, and when stone itself became a vehicle for an emperor’s vision.

Discover Them in the Heart of the Forum

Come and discover the Plutei of Trajan in the heart of the Roman Forum. History awaits you there — carved in marble, and still powerfully alive.