Beheadings

The Column of Trajan reveals evidence that Roman auxiliary soldiers (not Romans with full citizenship, but allies of Rome) beheaded their enemies in battle.  In Cichorius Plates 18 and 51 Roman auxiliaries bring the heads of their enemies to Trajan.  That the soldiers are auxiliaries and not Roman soldiers is clear from the fact that they do not wear cuirasses. That the heads belonged to barbarians is clear from the iconography of their long tousled hair and beards.

Compare these scenes to the scene from the Column of Marcus Aurelius. What is going on in the scene taken from the Column of Marcus Aurelius?  Be sure to read the iconography very carefully.

What thesis can you establish based on a comparison of these scenes?

Select individual images to enlarge them and view important details side by side.