Excavations in 1904 reveal an earlier date by four centuries, and place it in the time of Diocletian (A.D. 284). COLUMN in Roman Forum, named in 1818 Column of Phocas. "Tully was not so eloquent as thou, Thou nameless column with the buried base." And History, with all her volumes vast, Hath but one page, 't is better written here Where gorgeous Tyranny hath thus amass'd All treasures, all delights, that eye or ear, Heart, soul could seek, tongue ask. — Away with words, draw near, CIX Admire, exult - despise - laugh, weep,- for here There is such matter for all feeling :- Man! Of Glory's gewgaws shining in the van Till the sun's rays with added flame were fill'd! Where are its golden roofs ? where those who dared to build ? CX Tully was not so eloquent as thou, Thou nameless column with the buried base! 1 1 This column ceased to be "nameless" in 1818 when it received the name by which it has since been called- Column of Phocas. Archæologists in 1904, owing to explorations round the "buried base," have decided that it belongs to the time of Diocletian, A. D. 284, and not Phocas. -- Titus' or Trajan's? No 't is that of Time: To crush the imperial urn whose ashes slept sublime, CXI Buried in air, the deep blue sky of Rome, With household blood and wine, serenely wore CXII Where is the rock of Triumph, the high place 2 The promontory whence the Traitor's Leap 1 The statue of St. Peter supplants that of Trajan on the top of Trajan's column. 2 The temple of Jupiter probably stood on the southeast section of the Capitoline Hill, the present site of Palazzo Caffarelli. |