<P> While Greek sculptors traditionally illustrated military exploits through the use of mythological allegory , the Romans used a more documentary style . Roman reliefs of battle scenes , like those on the Column of Trajan , were created for the glorification of Roman might , but also provide first - hand representation of military costumes and military equipment . Trajan 's column records the various Dacian wars conducted by Trajan in what is modern day Romania . It is the foremost example of Roman historical relief and one of the great artistic treasures of the ancient world . This unprecedented achievement , over 650 foot of spiraling length , presents not just realistically rendered individuals ( over 2,500 of them ) , but landscapes , animals , ships , and other elements in a continuous visual history -- in effect an ancient precursor of a documentary movie . It survived destruction when it was adapted as a base for Christian sculpture . During the Christian era after 300 AD , the decoration of door panels and sarcophagi continued but full - sized sculpture died out and did not appear to be an important element in early churches . </P>
<P> While Greek sculptors traditionally illustrated military exploits through the use of mythological allegory , the Romans used a more documentary style . Roman reliefs of battle scenes , like those on the Column of Trajan , were created for the glorification of Roman might , but also provide first - hand representation of military costumes and military equipment . Trajan 's column records the various Dacian wars conducted by Trajan in what is modern day Romania . It is the foremost example of Roman historical relief and one of the great artistic treasures of the ancient world . This unprecedented achievement , over 650 foot of spiraling length , presents not just realistically rendered individuals ( over 2,500 of them ) , but landscapes , animals , ships , and other elements in a continuous visual history -- in effect an ancient precursor of a documentary movie . It survived destruction when it was adapted as a base for Christian sculpture . During the Christian era after 300 AD , the decoration of door panels and sarcophagi continued but full - sized sculpture died out and did not appear to be an important element in early churches . </P>
one of romes most famous narrative art monuments is
one of romes most famous narrative art monuments is
Trajan 's column
Trajan 's column