Rome: Main Page | Arch of Constantine | Colisseum | Roman Forum | Ostia | Herculaneum |
FJ's Homepage | Asclepius Images/Sites | Imperial Fora | Tiber River | Other Rome Sites | Pompeii |
Brief History: This triple arch was erected in 315 A.D. to commemorate Emperor Constantine's victory over Maxentius at Saxa Rubra, but it incorporates fragments of sculptures from older monuments. It has been under restoration for several years. See below for the text of the inscription on the main façades.
click on any picture below to see a larger image
The East Façade (view looking West)
Top Left Frieze |
Central Inscription |
Top Right Frieze |
Left-Side Medallions (1999) |
Left-Side Medallions (1994) |
Right-Side Medallions |
The West Façade (view looking East)
West Façade (1994) |
West Façade (1999) |
Top Left Frieze |
Central Inscription (1994) |
Central Inscription (1999) |
Top Right Frieze |
Left-Side Medallions |
Right-Side Medallions (1994) |
Right-Side Medallions (1999) |
The North and South Sides
The Dedicatory Inscription
(CIL 6.1139)
(Note: the same text is duplicated on both façades of the Arch)
[transcription courtesy of Bill
Thayer]
IMP · CAES · FL · CONSTANTINO ·
MAXIMO P · F · AVGVSTO · S · P · Q · R QVOD INSTINCTV DIVINITATIS MENTIS MAGNITVDINE CVM EXERCITV SVO TAM DE TYRANNO QVAM DE OMNI EIVS FACTIONE VNO TEMPORE IVSTIS REMPVBLICAM VLTVS EST ARMIS ARCVM TRIVMPHIS INSIGNEM DICAVIT |
Expanded Text of First Two Lines: IMPERATORI CAESARI FLAVIO CONSTANTINO MAXIMO PIO FELICI AVGVSTO SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS |