Apollodorus Of Damascus biography
Date of birth : -
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Damascus, Roman Syria
Nationality : Greek
Category : Arhitecture and Engineering
Last modified : 2010-03-29
Credited as : ancient greek, architect, sculptor
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Trajan's Column, in the centre of the Forum, is celebrated as being the first triumphal monument of its kind. On the accession of Hadrian, whom he had offended by ridiculing his performances as architect and artist, Apollodorus was banished and, shortly afterwards, being charged with imaginary crimes, put to death (Dio Cassius lxix. 4). He also wrote a treatise on Siege Engines ( ολιορκητικά), which was dedicated to Hadrian.
The story about Apollodorus' death demonstrates the persistent hostility felt towards Hadrian in senatorial circles long after his reign, for if Cassius Dio included it in his history, he must have believed it. Many since have taken Dio's anecdote at face value, but there is much in this story that does not add up and many scholars dismiss its historicity altogether, for instance: R. T. Ridley: "Apollodoros of Damascus" (1989)