Trajan's Column Inscription

Alfredus

New Member

Hi everyone,

I'm having some trouble understanding the grammar of the final part of the inscription on Trajan's Column. It says the column was erected "ad declarandum quantae altitudinis mons et locus tantis operibus sit egestus." I would understand "ad declarandum quantae altitudinis mons fuerit et locus quantis operbus egestus sit," but I'm really struggling to read the inscription that way.

Can anyone help?
 
 

Matthaeus

Vemortuicida strenuus

  • Civis Illustris

  • Patronus

Location:
Varsovia
Maybe you could post a picture of this inscription?
 
 

Dantius

Homo Sapiens

  • Civis Illustris

Location:
in orbe lacteo
"ad declarandum quantae altitudinis mons et locus tantis operibus sit egestus." I would understand "ad declarandum quantae altitudinis mons fuerit et locus quantis operbus egestus sit," but I'm really struggling to read the inscription that way.
I think literally it is just "to declare how tall of a mountain and place has been dug out with such great effort." (because Trajan's forum was carved out of the side of a hill)
 

Cassi

New Member

The phrase "tantis operibus" clearly refers to the buildings of the forum, not the effort: "for such great structures".
 
 

Dantius

Homo Sapiens

  • Civis Illustris

Location:
in orbe lacteo
You're right, that makes more sense.
 
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