Arch of Constantine

Arco di Costantino

The Arch of Constantine is a famous monument located in Rome, Italy, near the Colosseum. It was erected to commemorate the Roman emperor Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, on the occasion of his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD.

The general dimensions of the elevation are 21 m high, 25.9 meters wide and 7.4 m deep.

History

The Arch of Constantine was built between 312 and 315 AD, shortly after Constantine's victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. This battle was a clash between the forces of Constantine and those of Emperor Maxentius, and Constantine attributed his victory to a divine vision of Christ and conversion to Christianity. Therefore, the Arch of Constantine is one of the first Roman monuments to have Christian elements.

The arch was erected to celebrate Constantine's victory and his status as emperor. It is located on the Via Triumphalis, the road that emperors took in triumph to enter Rome after a military victory.

The arch was built using materials from other structures, including numerous pre-existing reliefs and statues, which explains its eclectic combination of artistic styles.

Diagram of the Arch of Constantine showing the dating of the different bas-reliefs that make up its sculptural decoration. After Ward-Perkins 1999. Drawing by Marsyas Source: Wikipedia

Architecture

The Arch of Constantine is a classic example of a Roman triumphal arch, and was designed on the model of the Arch of Septimius Severus, an earlier triumphal arch located in the Roman Forum. The arch is built in marble and consists of three arches, with the central arch larger than the two lateral ones. This architectural scheme was common in Roman triumphal arches.

The Arch of Constantine is also known for the sculpted reliefs that decorate the facades and intrados of the arches. These reliefs represent scenes from the life of Constantine, including his victory over Maxentius and his generosity towards the people of Rome. Many of the arch's statues and decorations were recycled from older monuments, which contributes to its stylistic diversity.