Plutei of Trajan

They are believed to have been built either on the edge of the Rostra or on the sides of the Lapis Niger marking the underground "Tomb of Romulus".

In spite of this uncertainty, they are of great historical value because the carvings show the full length of both sides of the Forum at the time they were erected.

The relief on the right side shows Trajan in the Forum Romanum, where he institutes a charitable organisation for orphans (known as the alimenta).

The left relief shows the destruction of tax records in the presence of the emperor, probably Hadrian in 118, to the tune of 900 million sesterces.

The wooden tablets with the tax records are carried forth and burned in the presence of the emperor, who is standing in front of the Rostra.