Colonna di Foca, Rome

Colonna di Foca is the solitary monumental column before the Rostra in the Roman Forum, created when Rome formed part of the Eastern Roman Empire. Its fluted shaft, Corinthian capital, and marble base create a sharp vertical accent among the surrounding ruins. It was dedicated, or dedicated anew, to Emperor Phocas on the first of August, six hundred and eight.

That ceremony produced the Forum’s last honorary monument after more than thirteen centuries of building here. The column itself was already old: its style indicates a second-century origin, before it was reused for this purpose. The base had supported a statue of Diocletian, and its earlier inscription was erased to make room for the newer text.

Smaragdus, the imperial representative in Italy, placed a gilded likeness of Phocas above the capital; it probably vanished soon afterward. When Phocas was overthrown and killed in October six hundred and ten, his images were pulled down. This column remained in place, though debris eventually buried its base until excavations exposed it in eighteen thirteen.