Arch of Constantine

Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine (Italian: Arco di Costantino) is an arch in Rome, found between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. It was built in honour of Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312. It is the latest of the triumphal arches in Rome.

Inscriptions

The main inscription was made of bronze letters. It says (identically on both sides):

IMP · CAES · FL · CONSTANTINO · MAXIMO · P · F · AVGUSTO · S · P · Q · R · QVOD · INSTINCTV · DIVINITATIS · MENTIS · MAGNITVDINE · CVM · EXERCITV · SVO · TAM · DE · TYRANNO · QVAM · DE · OMNI · EIVS · FACTIONE · VNO · TEMPORE · IVSTIS · REM-PVBLICAM · VLTVS · EST · ARMIS · ARCVM · TRIVMPHIS · INSIGNEM · DICAVIT

To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the greatest, pious, and blessed Augustus: because he, inspired by the divine, and by the greatness of his mind, has delivered the state from the tyrant and all of his followers at the same time, with his army and just force of arms, the Senate and People of Rome have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs.

Two short inscriptions on the inside of the central archway say:

LIBERATORI VRBIS (liberator of the city) — FUNDATORI QVIETIS (founder of peace)

Over each of the small archways, inscriptions say:

VOTIS X — VOTIS XX

SIC X — SIC XX

Arch Of Constantine Media

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  The Arch of Constantine, Rome - painted by Herman van Swanevelt, 17th century

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  South side, from Via triumphalis. Colosseum to right

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  North side, from the Colosseum

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  LukKonstantynastronazachodnia

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  Dates of incorporated decorative material

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  Relief panels, round reliefs and frieze over left (west) arch, from south

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  Round reliefs and frieze over right (east) arch, from south

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  Arch of Constantine - detail 3

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  The last scene (North side of arch) in the Constantinian frieze on the Arch of Constantine. It recalls Marcus Aurelius in the liberalitas attic panel of the arch, overseeing the distribution of gifts to the public. Constantine is in the exact center of the frieze (in the center of this photo), seated on a podium (his head is missing). The similarity to Christian depictions of the throned Christ surrounded by disciples - intentional or coincidental - is obvious.

Other websites

• The Arch of Constantine Archived 2008-12-09 at the Wayback Machine, a detailed article on the arch
• Inscriptions
• Google Maps satellite image