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It
is the most important of the Roman triumphal arches. It was
built in 313 A.D. to celebrate emperor Constantine's victory
over Massenzio. It rises not far from the Coliseum at the
end of the Via Sacra. It marks the limit between Roman Forum
and Coliseum area. It is the greatest of the three Roman
triumphal arches. It is 25 meters high. It was built during
a period in which Rome began its decline in favour of
Constantinople, that is the reason why, as Roman wealth had
lowered, the arch was realized with marbles taken out from
ancient buildings and preexisting monuments. In its
composition statues and decorations, originally located
elsewhere, were also set. All the materials were used to
create polychromatic effects. The different elements, all
together, either artistically or historically, make it
highly representative of Roman architecture. On the wall, in
front of the Coliseum, you can see, in fact, the
representation of Mark Aurelius struggling against the
Dacians; on the opposite side, you can see episodes of the
battles fought by Mark Aurelius and Constantine. |