The secret of the Roman Empire's military success lay in the meticulous planning that preceded every campaign. A network of roads crossed the empire to facilitate the rapid and efficient movement of troops. When necessary, in areas where military operations were planned, the Roman engineering corps built new roads. The conquest of Dacia (a region covering much of modern-day Romania) during the reign of Emperor Trajan represents the pinnacle of Roman military power.

To supply the empire’s troops in Dacia, a road was built by order of Trajan, crossing mountainous terrain and running along the Danube. In some places, Roman engineers had to carve the road into nearly vertical cliffs. Sections of the road crossing the river were constructed on wooden foundations.

The Trajan’s Tablet, or “Tabula Trajana,” is a memorial plaque installed after the completion of the road’s construction. It is located on the Serbian side, facing Romania, near Ogradina, opposite the head of Decebalus—the tallest stone sculpture in Europe.

It is situated in the Iron Gates Gorge, at the most inaccessible section of the Roman road that Emperor Trajan carved into the cliffs above the Danube. This road was the route taken by the emperor and his companions to war against the Dacians. When the last and most difficult section of Trajan’s road was completed in the year 100, this inscription was carved into the rock above the road to commemorate the completion. Originally, it was positioned 1.5 meters above the Roman road running along the Danube.

In 1969, the tablet, along with part of the road, was relocated to avoid flooding caused by the construction of the “Iron Gates I” hydroelectric power station, which raised the water level of the river.

The inscription on the tablet was originally written in six lines, but today only three can be read. Latin experts can read the following on Trajan’s Tablet: “Emperor Caesar, Son of the Divine Nerva, Nerva Trajan the Best Augustus Germanicus Dacicus Parthicus, Great Pontiff, vested with the power of the people’s tribune 21 times, Emperor 13 times, Consul 6 times, Father of the Fatherland, carved a road in the mountain and set beams supporting this road…”

The border decorated with an eagle motif and the figure of a winged genius testify to the rich relief decoration, which has only partially survived. Below the inscription, there is a figure kneeling: it is believed to represent Danubius. Directly above it is a cornice decorated with roses.

Sources:

https://www.serbia.travel/en/explore-serbia/culture/archaeological-monuments/trajan-s-tablet