The Merciful Emperors

Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

Colonial narratives of imperial superiority are integral to the justification of colonization as a means of "bettering" the lives of the indigenous peoples who are being subjugated. This "bettering" comes in various forms, including social change or the construction of infrastructure. The Roman Emperor played an important role in the construction of a narrative that supports the notion that Roman civilization was a gift to the conquered enemies of Rome, a gift that improved the social structure of these conquered societies. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius provides us with an example of a sculpture that elicits an impression of a benevolent conqueror. The sculptor presents the emperor in a position of power atop a horse. Several historians believe that there is a piece of the sculpture missing that had a barbarian cowering beneath the raised hoof of the horse, but it is impossible to prove for certain. This added imagery would enhance the message of conquering benevolence presented in the sculpture, as Marcus Aurelius is seen with his hand outstretched, granting clemency to the character beneath him. However, even if the suggested barbarian was not present in the original sculpture, the message is clear: those who yield to the emperor, and therefore the Roman Empire, will be granted the gift of mercy. The emperor has the power to crush those before him, but he is also merciful in victory. This message is also present on the column of Trajan. Trajan is depicted numerous times on the column, but he is most often granting mercy to the defeated Dacians. For instance, Trajan can be seen granting mercy to a Dacian woman in scene 30 of the column. It is this juxtaposition of military might and the grace of civilized Rome that aids in the construction of Roman superiority.

Scene 30 of Trajan's Column

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