The Column of Phocas is a Roman monumental column in the Roman Forum, the area commonly known in the 18th century as Campo Vaccino, or field of cows. Dedicated or rededicated in honour of the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocas in AD 608, the column was the last addition made to the Forum and currently stands 13.6 m (44 ft) tall on a cubical white marble socle and brick foundation. On stylistic grounds, it seems to have been made in the 2nd century AD for an unknown structure, and later recycled for the present monument. The socle was not uncovered until 1813, hence its absence from Wilson's drawing. The square foundation of brick was also concealed since the present level of the Forum was not excavated down to its Augustan paving until the 19th century. The column's free-standing position among the ruins has always made it a landmark in the Forum, much favoured by artists.
