Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy

Date

312-316 CE

Location

Europe->Italy->Lazio->Rome

Description

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch, erected ca. 312-316 CE to commemorate the triumph of Constantine I after his victory over Maxentius in the battle at the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. The arch is located between Palatine Hill and the Colosseum along the road taken by the triumphal processions. Eight detached Corinthian columns, four on each side, stand on plinths on the sides of the archways. The lower part, the arches and supporting piers, is built of white marble in opus quadratum, while the attic is opus latericium covered with marble slabs. The different construction techniques may indicate different construction times for the two parts. The decorative elements on the monument are from different periods and are generally considered to be spolia, or parts taken from earlier monuments. The arch has parts from the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Constantine himself. Some of the spolia have been changed to give the images of former emperors the semblance of Constantine. The arch is the largest of only three monumental arches to survive in Rome today.

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