The Arch of Constantine, the largest surviving triumphal arch, is a testament to ancient Roman genius. Positioned on the historic Via dei Trionfi, it's just a stone's throw away from the iconic Colosseum in Rome. The arch's survival can be attributed to Constantine's reputation as the first pro-Christian emperor, a tactics-oriented emperor, despite never converting to Christianity.
An Honor to Emperor Constantine
Commissioned by the Senate, the arch was a tribute to Emperor Constantine, hailed as the "liberator of the city and bringer of peace." The Senate's motivation was twofold: to gain the Emperor's favor and to acknowledge his brave leadership in safeguarding the empire.
Restoration and Studies: Preserving the Arch of Constantine
Since the late 15th century, the arch has been under restoration and numerous studies. A significant amount of work was done in 1733 to replace the missing parts. Notably, in 1530, Lorenzino de' Medici was banished from Rome for defacing the arch's reliefs, which were partially restored in the 18th century. The arch is not only historically significant but also a living museum of official Roman sculpture, boasting a vast and invaluable collection.
A Glimpse into the Arch's History
Dedicated by the Senate to celebrate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Ponte Milvio (October 28, 312), the arch was formally inaugurated in 315, marking the emperor's tenth year in power. The arch, situated between the Palatine and the Caelian, is on the ancient road of triumphs and dates back to between 130 and 138 AD.
The arch is one of the three surviving triumphal arches in Rome on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the others being the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
The Arch of Constantine: A Tale Told Through Inscriptions
Much of the information about the arch comes from the lengthy dedicatory inscription seen on each of the main faces of the attic.
At the arch's construction time, Constantine hadn't yet chosen Christianity as the state's official religion. The traditional cross appearing in the sky during the Battle of Ponte Milvio with the words "In hoc signo vinci" is a subsequent Catholic Church legend.
Indeed, the emperor, who granted freedom of worship in the Roman Empire in 313, did not attend the Council of Nicaea until 325. Notably, he never converted, not even on his deathbed, as no historical source supports this claim.
Despite the inscription mentioning "instinctu divinitatis" ("by divine inspiration"), it is likely that Constantine maintained a balance between religions for political gain.
Interestingly, the arch depicts scenes of sacrifices to pagan deities and busts of deities in the side passages, and pagan deities on the arch's keys.
Construction and Reconstruction of the Arch
The monument is believed to have been constructed during Hadrian's time, followed by extensive reconstruction in the Constantinian period. This period saw the removal of columns, reconstruction of the entire attic, insertion of the Trajan frieze on the central arch's inner walls, and addition of reliefs and decorations from the Constantinian period. The Hadrianic roundels, however, are believed to be original.
In fact, most of the sculptures were taken from monuments of earlier periods (Trajan, Hadrian and Commodus), which were probably destroyed by fires in 283 and 307 AD.
Its structure, moreover, consists essentially of a part derived from an ancient triumphal arch dedicated to Hadrian, the part that reaches the cornice, above the fornixes, and the foundations incorporate wall structures that probably belong to the nearby Domus Aurea of Nero.
From Middle age to Present day
During the Middle Ages, the arch, called "arco de Trasi" because it was located on the road leading to the church dedicated to St. Gregory, was transformed into a keep by the Frangipane family, who added it to their fortified buildings between the Palatine and the Colosseum. During the eighteenth century it underwent some renovations, but it was not abandoned until 1804.
The cleaning and isolation of the Arch of Constantine, as we see it today in all its beauty, was achieved only in 1832, thanks to the works of widening of Via di San Gregorio ordered by Pope Gregory XVI, and the following year, during the Fascist regime, on the occasion of the opening to the public of the street renamed Via dei Trionfi.
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