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It
is the most important of the Roman
triumphal arches. It was built in
313 A.D. to celebrate emperor
Constantine's victory over
Massenzio. It rises not far from the
Coliseum at the end of the Via
Sacra. It marks the limit between
Roman Forum and Coliseum area. It is
the greatest of the three Roman
triumphal arches. It is 25 meters
high. It was built during a period
in which Rome began its decline in
favour of Constantinople, that is
the reason why, as Roman wealth had
lowered, the arch was realized with
marbles taken out from ancient
buildings and preexisting monuments.
In its composition statues and
decorations, originally located
elsewhere, were also set. All the
materials were used to create
polychromatic effects. The different
elements, all together, either
artistically or historically, make
it highly representative of Roman
architecture. On the wall, in front
of the Coliseum, you can see, in
fact, the representation of Mark
Aurelius struggling against the
Dacians; on the opposite side, you
can see episodes of the battles
fought by Mark Aurelius and
Constantine. |