ARCH OF CONSTANTINE

Triumphal Arch Erected to commemorate Constantine’s

victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge

Awarded to Constantine by the Senate of Rome

Dedicated in 315 A.D. Located between Colosseum and Palatine

Hill

OVER A CENTURY OF CHAOS

FatherConstantius I The Pale

Member of the Tetrarchy

Diocletian Maximian Constantius Galerius

Constantine I

Born 285 at Naissus, Moesia Proclaimed emperor by troops at father’s

death in 306

Only a Caesar

Galerius only granted him title of Ceasar Sided with Maxentius and Maximian in

power struggles

Maximian Dies 310

311

Galerius dies Constantine allies with Licinius

Maxentius Defeated312

Battle of Milvian Bridge

In Memorium

War between Constantine and Licinius

312 & 323

324

Licinius defeated

3 Triumphal Arches in Rome

Arch of Titus Arch of Septimius Severus Arch of Constantine

Most recent of the 3 remaining triumphal arches in Rome

Differs from the other 2 arches by spoila - the re-use of parts of earlier buildings on newer ones

General Design Modeled after the Arch of

Septimius Severus on the Roman Forum

Structured with detached columns and an attic (with main inscription above)

Physical Attributes 21m high 25.9m wide 7.4m deep

3 Archways Central archway: 11.5m high, 6.5m

wide Lateral archways: 7.4m x 3.4m each

Spoila Re-use of parts from earlier

buildings Statues on top taken from the

Forum of Trajan Reliefs between the statues created

for Marcus Aurelius Roundels (8 medallions) and

possibly the arch itself from the emperor Hadrian’s time

Possible explanations for spoila

Short time between start of construction (312) and the dedication (315)

Artwork of 4th century Romans not considered acceptable

Attic Top part of arch Brickwork and marble Main inscription above major archway, identical

on both sides Pairs of relief panels on each side above minor

archways (8 total) – taken from unknown monument in honor of Marcus Aurelius

Attic Relief Panels North side from left to right:

the emperors return to Rome after the campaign (adventus)

the emperor leaving the city and being saluted by a personification of the Via Flaminia

the emperor distributing money among the people (largitio)

the emperor interrogating a German prisoner

Attic Relief Panels South side from left to right

A captured enemy chieftain led before the emperor

Another similar scene with other prisoners

The emperor speaking to the troops The emperor sacrificing a pig, sheep

and bull

Main Section Identical on both sides Divided by 4 columns of Corinthian order made of

Numidian yellow marble Spandrels of the main archway depict victory figures

holding trophies Spandrels of the smaller archways depict river gods Column bases and spandrel reliefs are from the time

of Constantine Above each lateral archway are pairs of round reliefs

dated to the times of Hadrian displaying scenes of hunting and sacrificing

The head of the emperor in all medallions reworked

Lateral Archway Reliefs

North side left to right Hunt of a boar Sacrifice to Apollo Hunt of lion Sacrifice to Hercules

South side left to right Departure for the hunt Sacrifice to Silvanus Hunt of a bear Sacrifice to Diana

Head of Medallions The head of the emperor in all medallions was

originally Hadrian but has been reworked into the head of Constantine in the hunting scenes and either Licinius or Constantius I in the sacrifice scenes on the north side and vice versa on the south side

Relief’s from time of Constantine

Runs around monument under the round panels

Depicts scenes from the Italian campaign of Constantine against Maxentius

Starts at western side with “Departure from Milan”

Continues on southern, outward face with the “Siege of Verona” and the “Battle of Milvian Bridge”

On eastern side, Constantine and his army enter Rome

On the northern face: Constantine speaking to citizens in the Forum Romanum and distributing money

Inscriptions

Main inscriptions would have originally been of bronze lettering

Reads identically on both sides: “To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the

greatest, pious, and blessed Augustus: because he, inspired by the divine, and by the greatness of his mind, has delivered the state from the tyrant and all of his followers at the same time, with his army and just force of arms, the Senate and People of Rome have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs.”

2 short inscriptions on inner walls transport message that Constantine came not as a conqueror but freed Rome from occupation