Romans as Head Hunters, Literally

Not recruiters for high level exec jobs, no not that. The kind who like to turn heads into trophies of war.

Y’all know that Sergius’ coin (RRC 286/1) is one of my favorites (There is a good summary in my 2021 book).

So I’m looking for something else on the Column of Trajan Images this morning and all these heads as trophies have been distracting me. If I find similar iconography as I go I’ll now have a place to add it.

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28 July 2026 Update:

David Meadows (aka the Rogue Classicist) recommended:

Les Romains, chasseurs de têtes – Persée https://www.persee.fr/doc/efr_0000-0000_1984_act_79_1_2537

I also went through the whole column scene by scene in a print book to refresh my memory, More heads presented to the army commanders, more heads and spikes, and a great (horrific) scene of a head being taken with the body nearby.