Triumphal arches in ancient Rome. Memorial and triumphal structures of ancient Rome

Triumphal arches were erected throughout the history of Ancient Rome. For its inhabitants, it was a symbol of the sky, and if the image of a commander was installed on it, then this was already seen as the triumph of life over death. Having won at least some significant victory, the Romans erected an arch, special decorated gates, emperors and generals solemnly marched through them, so they received a “triumph”. The Arch of Emperor Constantine is the only one erected in honor of the victory over the internal enemy.

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The last triumphal arch of the Eternal City was the arch in honor of Constantine, it was erected in 315, when Maxentius was defeated at the Tiber bridge. It became the only one built in honor of the victory over the internal enemy. But this event was very significant in the history of Rome. The battle was the reason for the adoption of Christianity by Constantine.

The arch was built almost in the center of the city, between the forum and the Colosseum. White marble for her was brought from Asia Minor.

In the Middle Ages, located on the road leading to the Basilica of St. George, the building was called "Triumphal Trasi".

The attraction was reconstructed in 1832 by order of Pope Gregory XVI.

The arch, although it reflected a significant event in the life of Rome, became a symbol of the decline of the great empire.

Description

The height of the building is 21 m, the width is 25.7 m, the depth is 7.4 m. The main material is marble. Most of the decorative elements installed on the arch were taken from other architectural monuments. Historians believe that there may be several explanations for this:

• the decline of art in the IV century in the empire, but now this option is refuted, archaeological finds have proven that art was developed in Rome during late antiquity;
• the creators of the attraction did not have time to make decorations, because they were limited by rigid time frames;
• decor, borrowed from the buildings of the times of Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, was perceived as a symbol that Constantine was one of them.

The architectural solution itself is most likely copied from the arch of Septimius Severus.

There is a single inscription here, which says that this arch was built after 10 years of the reign of the emperor.

8 bas-reliefs are installed on the attic, they may have been removed from the monument erected after the victory of Marcus Aurelius over the Sarmatians. Among the reliefs, it is especially worth noting the scenes depicting the return of the emperor from the campaign and the interrogation of the captured German, addressing the army and bringing gifts to the gods.

At the very top of the columns there are sculptures depicting defeated Dacians, suggesting that they got there from Trajan's Forum. And images of the Victory Day could also have been taken from there.

Corinthian-style columns set on all sides adorn the arch, carved from rare yellow marble. On the high foundations of the columns there are reliefs depicting the goddess of victory, legionnaires and captive barbarians. These reliefs were made directly in the era of Constantine.

Two large medallions on the side were made in the era of Hadrian and transferred here, they depict scenes of the traditional Roman hunting for a boar and a lion and the retribution of the sacrifice to the gods. The image of the head of Hadrian had recognizable features, it was replaced with the head of Constantine. On other medallions, dating back to the period of Constantine, one can see the gods of the Sun and the Moon, racing on rearing chariots. The frieze, which tells of Constantine's struggle with Maxetius, was made directly for this arch, as well as the scene of the emperor's entry into native city, the scene of giving them money.

Colosseum and Stole on Via Sacra. Its construction was dedicated to the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

The dimensions of the arch are impressive: height 21 m, width 25.7 m and depth 7.4 m. The main part of the building is made of marble blocks, and the attic is made of brick lined with marble.

Original decor

• For the design of the arch, elements that were once located on other structures were used. There are three explanations for this:
• To build an arch that would look worthy against the background of previous buildings, skills were needed, and they were lost without a trace during the decline of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD. e.;
• the creators of the arch were limited in time, because the start of work was laid at the end of 312, and it was necessary to complete the construction by the summer of 315;
• the use of decorative elements from other times is pure water symbolism. Thus, Constantine was listed among other "good emperors."

Decoration of Attica

8 bas-reliefs, which were taken from the monument of the era of Marcus Aurelius, adorn the attic in pairs, and on its northern side you can see the image of the return of the emperor to Rome after a military campaign. On the contrary, from the south side of the building, you can see how the emperor meets the German leader and other captives, his address to the troops and the moment of animal sacrifice. The bas-relief with the distribution of money to the people has traces of the figure of Commodus - the son of Marcus Aurelius.

The tops of each column of the unique landmark of Rome are crowned with figures of Dacians, which, most likely, were removed from the Forum of Trajan. Bas-reliefs from the side walls of the attic arch, as well as the central span, have the same origin. They depict a celebration of the victory over the Dacians.

The central part of the three-span arch

The yellow marble is immortalized in Corinthian columns whose bases are decorated with reliefs depicting Victoria, captive barbarians and Roman soldiers. Above the side arches are medallions, their size is 2 meters in diameter. They depict moments of sacrifice and hunting. On the same medallions on the sides of the arch, the people show their face of the deity of the Sun and the Moon on chariots.

The Arch of Constantine is an Italian landmark that has become history. Constantine commemorated his campaign against Maxentius with a relief frieze. Having studied the architecture of the beginning of the era, one can easily talk about the events and phenomena of those times.

Keep in mind that sightseeing of the city will take a lot of time, and it is better to take care of booking a hotel in Rome in advance.

Arch of Constantine on the map of Rome

One of the largest arches in Roman history, the Arch of Constantine was built in 315 CE. e. It is located between the Colosseum and the Palatine on Via Sacra. Its construction was dedicated to the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

The dimensions of the arch are impressive: height 21 m, width 25.7 m and depth 7.4 m. The main part..." />

Arch of Constantine in Rome (Italy) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

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The Roman Empire existed for more than 500 years, so it is not surprising that it left behind a huge number of architectural monuments. The state was famous for its conquests and it was customary to meet the generals returning with a victory with all due honors. So I was born in Rome special kind architectural architecture - triumphal arches. They were built of stone and were supposed to perpetuate the achievements and exploits of the Roman rulers. On the arches were depicted portraits of emperors and their accomplishments during their lifetime. The Arch of Constantine differs from its predecessors in that it was erected not as a result of the conquests of the empire, but timed to coincide with the victory in civil war Emperor Constantine over his rival Maxentius.

According to legend, Constantine on the night before decisive battle dreamed of a sign in the form of a cross. After this event, Christianity began to spread widely in Western Europe.

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The construction of the arch was carried out from 312 to 315 AD. For the construction, marble taken from earlier erected arches was used. Later, a fountain was installed nearby, which was used as a bath for gladiators. Only the remains of its foundation have survived to this day.

Per long years the condition of the arch deteriorated, and in 1832 the architectural evidence of ancient times was finally restored to its proper condition. Today the Arch of Constantine is the latest surviving triumphal arch.

Description

The building impresses with its size and grandeur. It rises to a height of 21 m, a width reaches almost 26 m, and a depth of more than 7 m. There are eight bas-reliefs taken from the monument of Marcus Aurelius on the attic. This is the main treasure of the Arch of Constantine. The first northern bas-relief depicts the return of Emperor Marcus Aurelius to Rome after the victory over the Germans and Sarmatians. On the second, Marcus Aurelius is already leaving the city, going to war. The third symbolizes generosity, the emperor is shown distributing money here. The fourth bas-relief shows the mercy of the emperor and his inner circle.

Four bas-reliefs on the south side show the ceremony of granting power to the German leader by the emperor; soldiers leading captives; Constantine's appeal to his troops before the start of a military campaign; the process of sacrifice. The bases of all eight columns are decorated with relief images of soldiers, captured Germans and the goddess of victory, Victoria.

The medallions, about 2 m in diameter, depict scenes from hunting, sacrifices, the Sun and the Moon in chariots. The relief frieze shows the military campaign of Emperor Constantine from the departure from Rome to the entry into the city as a winner.

Practical information

Address: Rome, st. via Sacra, near the Colosseum and the Palatine.

How to get there: by metro line B to Colosseo station, by buses no.

Admission is free, the arch is open to the public every day and around the clock.

Triumphal Arch Constantine in Rome is a three-span arch built in honor of Emperor Constantine and dedicated to the victory over Emperor Maxentius in 312.

History of creation

Returning after successful victories, commanders and emperors in ancient Rome were always greeted solemnly. To perpetuate their exploits, special triumphal arches were erected. These were powerful stone structures, decorated with statues. prominent people and reliefs depicting their great deeds.

Traditionally, the arch had three spans. The victor in a chariot drawn by four horses rode into the central one. He was followed by musicians, warriors, who led noble prisoners of war, carried captured trophies on special stretchers: weapons, jewelry. The people greeted the winners with joyful cries and flowers.

Let's then figure out what Constantine became famous for and why they decided to erect an arch for him.

From the age of 24, Constantine dreamed of becoming an emperor and for this he was ready to make any sacrifices. The plan was to find an ally in achieving this goal and defeat the emperor. To do this, he went to Britain to his dying father, Constantius Chlorus, a Roman general who was declared Caesar of the West. Before his death, his father endowed Constantine with the powers of a commander, and the troops proclaimed him the Roman emperor. The year was 306.

In Rome at that time Maxentius ruled - tyrant and ruler unbridled in his desires. The inhabitants quickly regretted helping him become emperor. And then Constantine, who knew about the events in Rome, set out with an army from Britain, crossed the Alps and in 312 in Italy smashed parts of Maxentius.

The head of Maxentius was brought to Rome for demonstration to the inhabitants of Rome - the former emperor was defeated. As soon as the townspeople saw the head of the former emperor, they immediately began to build an arch for Constantine, but did not finish. Therefore, when Constantine entered Rome with the honors of a triumphant, he did not see his arch, since they simply had not finished it yet.

The Arch of Constantine is the only triumphal arch in Rome, which was built in honor of the victory not over an external enemy, but over its own despot.

They finished the arch only in 315, and on it they knocked out “To Emperor Flavius ​​Constantine, the greatest, pious, happy ...”, then all the exploits of the emperor were listed. But Constantine did not appreciate the later attention shown to him by the Senate and citizens of Rome. He fell out of love with this city and in 326 moved the capital of the state to Byzantium(in 330 it was renamed Constantinople), creating a new state structure there.

In the Middle Ages, the Arch of Constantine, like the Colosseum, was integrated into the system of city fortifications. At the beginning of the 19th century, the monument was brought to its current architectural state. In modern Rome, this arch, like many other ancient monuments of architecture, suffers greatly from the exhaust gases of cars and motorcycles.

architectural features

The triumphal arch of Constantine is largest and latest of three triumphal arches preserved in the ancient quarter of the city around the Roman Forum.

The height of the arch is 21 meters, the width is 25.7 meters, and the depth of the span is more than 7 meters.

Four columns adorning the pediments of the arch give it an architectural resemblance to the triumphal arch of Septimius Severus, which served as a model for it.

The main part of the arch is made of powerful marble blocks. Reliefs with the image are pressed into the walls. victorious episodes of Emperor Constantine. Some decorative elements for the monument were taken from other, earlier Roman structures. For example, statues, medallions with hunting scenes were transferred from the forum of Emperor Troyan, and bas-reliefs depicting his triumph were transferred from the building of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The triumphal arch of Constantine is a real museum of ancient Roman art under open sky. Upon closer examination of the monument, one can see stylistic development of Roman sculptural art over 200 years.

This last ancient Roman monument with magnificent reliefs of various styles, created shortly before the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, is of inestimable significance for science and architectural art.

How to get there

The arch is located near the Colosseum, on the metro station Colosseo on line B

Useful information

• Address: Via di San Gregorio, Rome
• Price: is free

- a three-span arch located in Rome. It was built in honor of Emperor Constantine and dedicated to his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.

The arch rises in the immediate vicinity of the Colosseum and is perhaps the most magnificent of the three ancient triumphal arches of Rome that have survived to this day. This majestic monument is located on the ancient road "Via Triumphalis", along which the Roman emperors entered the city after victories won in wars, and which traditionally ended on the Palatine Hill. A very detailed inscription on the attic of the arch reports the victory of the emperor Constantine the Great over Maxentius at the Milvian bridge and that the triumphal arch was built by the Senate and the people of Rome.

The construction of the monument began already in the same year 312 and was completed on July 25, 315. On this day, Constantine celebrated the beginning of the 10th year of his reign. The senate acted as the customer of the construction. It is assumed that this building was originally crowned with a quadriga, which disappeared as a result of the invasion of the Visigoths led by Alaric in 410 or the attack of Gaiseric in 455.

In the Middle Ages, the Arch of Constantine, like the Colosseum, was integrated into the system of city fortifications. At the beginning of the 19th century, the monument was brought to its current architectural state. In modern Rome, this arch, like many other ancient monuments of architecture, suffers greatly from the exhaust gases of cars and motorcycles.

The triumphal arch of Constantine is the largest and latest of the three triumphal arches that have survived in the ancient quarter of the city around the Roman Forum. Its height is 21 meters, its width is 25.7 meters, and the span is over 7 meters deep. It differs from other arches primarily in that it uses some decorative elements, as well as corrugated Corinthian columns that previously belonged to other monuments and buildings.

Four columns adorning the pediments of the arch give it an architectural resemblance to the triumphal arch of Septimius Severus, which served as a model for it. On the bases of the columns are reliefs of the goddess Victoria, soldiers and captive barbarians. In the corners of the arch, one can discern allegorical decorations and figures of deities, gods personifying the seasons, and river spirits. This is followed by a relief located above the small spans of the arch, which shows the history of the military campaign of Constantine, his victory and seizure of power in Rome: the relief begins on the western, narrow, side of the arch from a picture depicting the departure of troops from Milan (profectio), then follows the one shown on the south side, a picture of the siege of a certain city, possibly Verona (obsidio), and an image of the battle at the Milvian bridge (proelium). The entry of the victorious emperor into Rome (adventus) is depicted on the east side, and the emperor’s speech in the Roman Forum (oratio) is shown on the north side, as well as the presentation of cash gifts people (largitio).

The triumphal arch of Constantine is visible from the Colosseum; while to the right of it you can see the ancient road "Via Sacra" and the triumphal arch of Titus.

Eight medallions arranged in pairs (4 on the side arches on each side of the monument) belong to the era of Emperor Hadrian. They depict hunting scenes and 4 sacrifice scenes. The main figure of the medallions is Adrian, but on 4 of them his head was replaced by the head of Constantine, and on the remaining 4 - the heads of his father Constantius I or Constantine's Eastern Roman co-ruler, Licinius (precise identification is impossible). The reliefs of the main span of the arch previously belonged to the Ulpia Basilica in Trajan's Forum.

The statues crowning the columns at the height of the attic depict the Dacians and remind of Trajan's military campaign against them. Rectangular reliefs with scenes from the Marcomannic War of Marcus Aurelius are placed in pairs between the statues. They show the departure of the campaign, then the war itself and the return of the emperor in 173. Above the main arch is an inscription - dedication.

Researchers argue about what caused the reuse of elements of older buildings during the construction of the Arc de Triomphe of Constantine, financial difficulties and forced savings, or whether the authors of the monument wanted to glorify Constantine in the tradition of early, senatorial historiography. Some scholars suggest that since the time of Hadrian there was a predecessor arch in this place, which was later only supplemented with an attic and re-lined. Thus, the modified and altered reliefs date back to the reigns of Trajan (98-117), Hadrian (117-138) and Marcus Aurelius (161-180).

The monument is made in a strict style, it has a so-called hierarchical perspective, which clearly emphasizes social opposition and social hierarchy in the era of dominance. Regardless of his place on the relief, the emperor is depicted larger than the surrounding characters, courtiers and Roman soldiers, the size of whose figures is also subject to hierarchical gradation.

Triumphal Arch of Constantine- This is a real open-air museum of ancient Roman art. On closer examination of the monument, one can trace the stylistic development of Roman sculptural art over the course of almost 200 years.

This last ancient Roman monument, with its magnificent reliefs of various styles, created shortly before the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, is of inestimable significance for science and architectural art.