Arch of Constantine ppt
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Transcript of Arch of Constantine ppt
ARCH OF CONSTANTINE
Triumphal Arch Erected to commemorate Constantine’s
victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge
Awarded to Constantine by the Senate of Rome
Dedicated in 315 A.D. Located between Colosseum and Palatine
Hill
OVER A CENTURY OF CHAOS
FatherConstantius I The Pale
Member of the Tetrarchy
Diocletian Maximian Constantius Galerius
Constantine I
Born 285 at Naissus, Moesia Proclaimed emperor by troops at father’s
death in 306
Only a Caesar
Galerius only granted him title of Ceasar Sided with Maxentius and Maximian in
power struggles
Maximian Dies 310
311
Galerius dies Constantine allies with Licinius
Maxentius Defeated312
Battle of Milvian Bridge
In Memorium
War between Constantine and Licinius
312 & 323
3 Triumphal Arches in Rome
Arch of Titus Arch of Septimius Severus Arch of Constantine
Most recent of the 3 remaining triumphal arches in Rome
Differs from the other 2 arches by spoila - the re-use of parts of earlier buildings on newer ones
General Design Modeled after the Arch of
Septimius Severus on the Roman Forum
Structured with detached columns and an attic (with main inscription above)
Physical Attributes 21m high 25.9m wide 7.4m deep
3 Archways Central archway: 11.5m high, 6.5m
wide Lateral archways: 7.4m x 3.4m each
Spoila Re-use of parts from earlier
buildings Statues on top taken from the
Forum of Trajan Reliefs between the statues created
for Marcus Aurelius Roundels (8 medallions) and
possibly the arch itself from the emperor Hadrian’s time
Possible explanations for spoila
Short time between start of construction (312) and the dedication (315)
Artwork of 4th century Romans not considered acceptable
Attic Top part of arch Brickwork and marble Main inscription above major archway, identical
on both sides Pairs of relief panels on each side above minor
archways (8 total) – taken from unknown monument in honor of Marcus Aurelius
Attic Relief Panels North side from left to right:
the emperors return to Rome after the campaign (adventus)
the emperor leaving the city and being saluted by a personification of the Via Flaminia
the emperor distributing money among the people (largitio)
the emperor interrogating a German prisoner
Attic Relief Panels South side from left to right
A captured enemy chieftain led before the emperor
Another similar scene with other prisoners
The emperor speaking to the troops The emperor sacrificing a pig, sheep
and bull
Main Section Identical on both sides Divided by 4 columns of Corinthian order made of
Numidian yellow marble Spandrels of the main archway depict victory figures
holding trophies Spandrels of the smaller archways depict river gods Column bases and spandrel reliefs are from the time
of Constantine Above each lateral archway are pairs of round reliefs
dated to the times of Hadrian displaying scenes of hunting and sacrificing
The head of the emperor in all medallions reworked
Lateral Archway Reliefs
North side left to right Hunt of a boar Sacrifice to Apollo Hunt of lion Sacrifice to Hercules
South side left to right Departure for the hunt Sacrifice to Silvanus Hunt of a bear Sacrifice to Diana
Head of Medallions The head of the emperor in all medallions was
originally Hadrian but has been reworked into the head of Constantine in the hunting scenes and either Licinius or Constantius I in the sacrifice scenes on the north side and vice versa on the south side
Relief’s from time of Constantine
Runs around monument under the round panels
Depicts scenes from the Italian campaign of Constantine against Maxentius
Starts at western side with “Departure from Milan”
Continues on southern, outward face with the “Siege of Verona” and the “Battle of Milvian Bridge”
On eastern side, Constantine and his army enter Rome
On the northern face: Constantine speaking to citizens in the Forum Romanum and distributing money
Inscriptions
Main inscriptions would have originally been of bronze lettering
Reads identically on both sides: “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.”
2 short inscriptions on inner walls transport message that Constantine came not as a conqueror but freed Rome from occupation