They are placed below the medallions and commemorate Emperor Constantine and his military victories. There are four frieze scenes that were built specifically for the monument. The arch is not entirely a reassembly of other structures. One shows Trajan, also cut to look like Constantine, charging barbarians on horseback the other shows him being crowned by Victory. There are also two reliefs taken from the Basilica Ulpia in Trajan’s forum that now decorate the inner central arch. They depict scenes of sacrificial ceremonies to the gods of Hercules, Diana, Apollo, and Silvanus and animal hunts featuring a bear, a boar, and a lion. The eight marble medallions are also from the 2nd century and were taken from a monument, now lost, honoring Emperor Hadrian. Marcus Aurelius has been remodeled to look like Constantine. They show scenes of the emperor at war or conducting his civic duties. The eight marble panels of the attic, four on each side, were taken from the Arch of Marcus Aurelius from the 2nd century. The arch contains many recycled elements from 1st and 2nd century monuments, the heyday of the Roman Empire, making the arch a mishmash of sculptural elements from Imperial Rome. The statues were made of Phrygian purple, and they stood on Carystian green pedestals green porphyry was used for the entablature frieze purplish-red porphyry was used for the roundel’s backgrounds. Different types of marble were used to create different sculptural elements. Above the entablature, on both sides, stand four statues of Dacian prisoners.Īlthough it’s difficult to distinguish today, the arch used to be incredibly colorful. They each stand on a pedestal and are topped by an entablature. The arches are divided by four Corinthian columns, on either side, made out of yellow Numidian marble.

The arch was carved out of grey and white Proconnesian marble. It has a large central archway with two smaller ones on either side. The arch is approximately 20 meters high, 25 meters wide, and 7 meters deep. In either case, here’s what you shouldn’t miss. Some theorize that this is because artistic talent had declined during Constantine’s time others say that it’s simply a tribute to Roman Imperial greatness, which Constantine wanted to be a part of. The Arch of Constantine is unique because it contains many sculptural elements taken from various Roman monuments from different eras. Pose for a photo with the arch – don’t forget to include the Colosseum in the background.Learn about Constantine’s military achievements from the sculptural scenes depicted on the arch.Feel ‘triumphant’ as you walk up to this mighty arch, once the pathway of victorious emperors.

Join millions of other visitors in learning about the history behind one of the world’s most famous arches. The Arch of Constantine is not just a beautiful arch, it’s also an incredible conglomeration of Imperial monuments. Be awed by Rome’s largest surviving triumphal arch.

Arch of constantine two good emperors