Triumphal COLUMN, a column erected among the ancients in honour of a hero, the joints of the stones, or courses of which, were covered with as many crowns as he had performed military expeditions. Each crown had its particular name, as vallar, which was fitted with spikes, in memory of having forced a palisade; muralis, adorned with little turrets, or battlements, for having mounted an assault; navalis, of prows and beaks of vessels, for having vanquished at sea; obidionalis, or graminalis, of grass, for having raised a siege; ocean, of myrtle, which expressed an ovation, or little triumph; and triumphalis, of laurel, for a grand triumph.