Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino) is an ancient Roman triumphal arch in Rome, situated between the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. The triumphal arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. It is the largest Roman triumphal arch and spans the Via Triumphalis, the route taken by the victorious military commanders when they entered the ancient city of Rome in a triumphal procession.

Overview

Renowned for its unique amalgamation of artistic elements from earlier monuments, the arch incorporates sculptures and reliefs primarily from the second century, notably from the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. The main facade of the arch features a central archway flanked by two lateral arches, adorned with Corinthian columns made of Numidian yellow marble. The reliefs on the arch depict scenes of hunting, sacrifice, and other imperial activities, showcasing a blend of themes from the times of Emperor Hadrian and the Constantinian era. Notably, the arch's medallions on the north side exhibit a skillful transformation of Emperor Hadrian's visage into that of Constantine during hunting scenes.

The arch symbolizes the victory of Constantine in the Battle of Milvian Bridge, a pivotal event that ultimately led to his ascension as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire and his subsequent embrace of Christianity. The Arch of Constantine not only serves as a historical landmark but also as a remarkable example of artistic repurposing, illustrating the continuity and adaptation of Roman artistic traditions across different imperial reigns.

Architectural Details

circa 315 CE

Dimensions and General Architecture
The overall dimensions of the arch correspond to 21 meters (69 feet) in height, 25.9 meters (85 feet) in width and 7.4 meters (24 feet) in depth. The monumental arch has three portals, the central one being 11.5 meters (38 feet) high and 6.5 meters (21 feet) wide and the side arched ways 7.4 meters (24 feet) by 3.4 meters (11 feet) each. The arch is constructed of brick-faced concrete covered in marble.

The overall design of the southern and northern primary façades is almost symmetrical on both sides of the arch. It features four columns on bases, dividing the structure into a central arch and two lateral arches. The latter are topped with two circular reliefs situated above a horizontal frieze. These four Corinthian order columns are crafted from Numidian yellow marble (giallo antico). One of them has been relocated to the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and was substituted with a white marble column. The columns rest on decorated bases (plinths or socles) visible from three sides. The reliefs on the bases depict Victoria, either inscribing a shield or holding palm branches, while those on the sides portray captured barbarians, either alone or accompanied by Roman soldiers. Although originating from the Constantinian era, these reliefs are modeled after those found on the Arch of Septimius Severus (and the now-lost Arcus novus), and are considered a standardized element.

The pairs of circular reliefs (roundels) situated above each lateral archway date back to the period of Emperor Hadrian. They depict scenes of hunting and sacrifice, with the north side showcasing a boar hunt, sacrifice to Apollo, lion hunt, and sacrifice to Hercules (from left to right). On the south side, the left pair illustrates the departure for the hunt and sacrifice to Silvanus, while the right pair displays the bear hunt and sacrifice to Diana. The head of the emperor, originally Hadrian, has been modified in all medallions: on the north side, it now represents Constantine in the hunting scenes and Licinius or Constantius I in the sacrifice scenes; on the south side, the transformations are vice versa. The reliefs, approximately 2 meters in diameter, were encased in porphyry framing, which now only remains (inspect) on the right side of the northern facade. Similar medallions of Constantinian origin are found on the small sides of the arch, depicting the rising Sun on the eastern side and the Moon on the western side, both on chariots.

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See Also

• List of Triumphal Arches in the Roman Forum
• Meta Sudans
• Arch of Titus
• Arch of Septimius Severus
• Hadrian's Arch (Jerusalem)
• Roman Forum
• Colosseum
• Ara Pacis
• Domus Aurea
• Colosseum Archaeological Park

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