Editing Arch of Constantine

{{short description|Ancient Roman triumphal arch, a landmark of Rome, Italy}}
{{infobox ancient site
|image=Arch of Constantine (Rome) - South side, from Via triumphalis.jpg
|caption=Arch of Constantine
|name=Arch of Constantine
|location=''[[Regio X Palatium]]''
|built=AD 315
|builder=[[Constantine I]]
|type=[[Triumphal arch]]
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|map dot label=Arch of Constantine
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|map_type=Italy Rome Antiquity
|map_overlay=Roma PlanFXD.jpg
|map_caption=Shown within Augustan Rome
|map_size=270
|image_size=270
|mapframe-frame-width=270
|mapframe=yes
|mapframe-caption=Click on the map for a fullscreen view
|mapframe-zoom=13
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The '''Arch of Constantine''' ({{langx|it|Arco di Costantino}}) is a [[triumphal arch]] in [[Rome]] dedicated to the emperor [[Constantine the Great]]. The arch was commissioned by the [[Roman Senate]] to commemorate Constantine's victory over [[Maxentius]] at the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] in AD 312. Situated between the [[Colosseum]] and the [[Palatine Hill]], the arch spans the ''[[Roman triumphs#The route|Via Triumphalis]]'', the route taken by victorious military leaders when they entered the city in a [[Roman triumph|triumphal]] procession.{{efn|By the "Senate and people" ([[S.P.Q.R.]]) according to the inscription, though the Emperor may have "suggested". See also: A. L. Frothingham. "Who Built the Arch of Constantine? III." The Attic, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 19, No. 1. (Jan.–Mar., 1915), pp. 1–12}} Dedicated in 315, it is the largest Roman triumphal arch, with overall dimensions of {{convert|21|m|abbr=on}} high, {{convert|25.9|m|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|7.4|m|abbr=on}} deep.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Watkin |first=David |title=A History of Western Architecture: Fifth Edition. |publisher=Laurence King Publishing |year=2011 |location=London |pages=87}}</ref> It has three bays, the central one being {{convert|11.5|m|abbr=on}} high and {{convert|6.5|m|abbr=on}} wide and the laterals {{convert|7.4|m|abbr=on}} by {{convert|3.4|m|abbr=on}} each. The arch is constructed of brick-faced concrete covered in marble.

The three-bay design with detached columns was first used for the [[Arch of Septimius Severus]] in the [[Roman Forum]] (which stands at the end of the triumph route) and repeated in several other arches now lost.

Though dedicated to Constantine, much of the sculptural decoration consists of reliefs and statues removed from earlier triumphal monuments dedicated to [[Trajan]] (98–117), [[Hadrian]] (117–138) and [[Marcus Aurelius]] (161–180), with the portrait heads replaced with his own.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sande |first=Siri |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1109724820 |title=Patrons and viewers in late antiquity |date=2012 |publisher=Aarhus Universitetsforlag |isbn=978-87-7124-417-5 |editor-last=Birk |editor-first=Stine |location=Aarhus |pages=277 |language=en |chapter=The Arch of Constantine - Who Saw What? |oclc=1109724820 |editor-last2=Poulsen |editor-first2=Birte}}</ref>

== History ==
The arch, which was constructed between 312 and 315, was dedicated by the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] to commemorate ten years (''a decennia''{{efn|Constantine chose to date his accession to power from the time of his acclamation by the troops at York in England on 25 July 306. Thus he chose to celebrate his ''decennalia'' in the year July 315 to July 316{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA20 p.&nbsp;20]}} }}) of [[Constantine I|Constantine's]] reign (306–337) and his victory over the then reigning emperor [[Maxentius]] (306–312) at the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] on 28 October 312,{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP7 p.&nbsp;7]}} as described on its [[#Attic|attic]] inscription,{{sfn|Aicher|2004|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC&pg=PA184 p.&nbsp;184]}} and officially opened on 25 July 315. Not only did the Roman senate give the arch for Constantine's victory, they also were celebrating [[decennalia]]: a series of games that happened every decade during the [[Roman Empire]]. On these occasions they also said many prayers and renewed both spiritual and mundane vows.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Constantine: Roman Emperor, Christian Victor|last = Stephenson|first = Paul|publisher = The Overlook Press|year = 2010|location = New York|pages = 151}}</ref> However, Constantine had actually entered Rome on 29 October 312, amidst great rejoicing, and the Senate then commissioned the monument.{{sfn|Barnes|1981|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=LGDjJK-JeSwC&pg=PA44 pp.&nbsp;44–47]}} Constantine then left Rome within two months and did not return until 326.{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP21 p.&nbsp;11]}}

[[File:The Arch of Constantine, Rome.jpeg|thumb|left|The Arch of Constantine, Rome - painted by [[Herman van Swanevelt]], 17th century]]

The location, between the [[Palatine Hill]] and the [[Caelian Hill]], spanned the ancient route of [[Roman triumphs#The route|Roman triumphs]] (''Via triumphalis'') at its origin, where it diverged from the ''[[Via sacra]]''.{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP7 p.&nbsp;7]}}{{sfn|Lanciani|1892|loc=[https://archive.org/details/paganandchristi02lancgoog/page/n44 p.&nbsp;20]}}{{sfn|Marlowe|2010}} This route was that taken by the emperors when they entered the city in triumph. This route started at the [[Campus Martius]], led through the [[Circus Maximus]], and around the Palatine Hill; immediately after the Arch of Constantine, the procession would turn left at the [[Meta Sudans]] and march along the ''Via sacra'' to the [[Forum Romanum]] and on to the [[Capitoline Hill]], passing through both the [[Arch of Titus|Arches of Titus]] and [[Arch of Septimius Severus|Septimius Severus]].

During the Middle Ages, the Arch of Constantine was incorporated into one of the family strongholds of ancient Rome, as shown in the painting by [[Herman van Swanevelt]], here. Works of restoration were first carried out in the 18th century,{{sfn|Elsner|2000}}{{efn|Deane{{sfn|Deane|1921|loc=p.&nbsp;91}} comments that Gradara{{sfn|Gradara|1918}} published an excerpt from the diary of [[Pietro Bracci]] in 1732, in which Bracci states that he carved new heads for seven of the Dacian slaves surmounting the columns and a completely new statue for the eighth (right of centre, south side). He also made new heads for the emperors and other figures on the reliefs between the slaves}} the last excavations have taken place in the late 1990s, just before the [[Great Jubilee]] of 2000. The arch served as the finish line for the [[Athletics at the 1960 Summer Olympics|marathon athletic]] event for the [[1960 Summer Olympics]].

The arch was damaged after sustaining a direct hit from a lightning strike on 3 September 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-04 |title=A lightning strike damages Rome's ancient Constantine Arch |url=https://apnews.com/article/italy-storm-damage-constantine-arch-174c1a045767b14c933d845a7ac62dff |access-date=2024-09-04 |work=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Constantine arch datation en.svg|thumb|Dates of incorporated decorative material]]

=== Controversy ===
There has been much controversy over the origins of the arch, with some scholars claiming that it should no longer be referred to as Constantine's arch, but is in fact an earlier work from the time of [[Hadrian]], reworked during Constantine's reign,{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP7 p.&nbsp;7]}} or at least the lower part.{{efn|For which, see Conforto,{{sfn|Conforto|2001}} however, for the contrary view that the whole arch was constructed in the 4th century, see Pensabene & Panella{{sfn|Pensabene|Panella|2001}}}} Another theory holds that it was erected, or at least started, by [[Maxentius]],<ref name=":0" />{{efn|The controversy extends to a number of other public buildings attributed to Constantine, as hinted at by [[Aurelius Victor]] in ''De Caesaribus''{{sfn|Marlowe|2010}}}} and one scholar believed it was as early as the time of [[Domitian]] (81–96).{{sfn|Frothingham|1912}}{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP7 p.&nbsp;7]}}

=== Symbolism ===
Maxentius's reputation in Rome was influenced by his contributions to public building. By the time of his accession in 306 Rome was becoming increasingly irrelevant to the governance of the empire, most emperors choosing to live elsewhere and focusing on defending the fragile boundaries, where they frequently founded new cities.

These factors contributed to Maxentius' ability to seize power. In contrast to his predecessors, Maxentius concentrated on restoring the capital; his epithet was ''conservator urbis suae'' (preserver of his city). Thus, Constantine was perceived as the deposer of one of the city's greatest benefactors, and needed to acquire legitimacy. Much controversy has surrounded the patronage of the public works of this period. Issuing a [[damnatio memoriae]], Constantine set out to systematically erase the memory of Maxentius. Consequently, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the patronage of early fourth century public buildings, including the Arch of Constantine, which may originally have been an Arch of Maxentius.{{sfn|Marlowe|2010}}

{{Gallery |width=160 | height=170 |align=center 
|Image:RomeConstantine'sArch03.jpg|South side, from ''Via triumphalis''. [[Colosseum]] to right
|Image:Archofconstantine.jpg|North side, from the Colosseum
|File:Luk Konstantyna strona zachodnia.JPG|West side
}}

==Sculptural style==
[[Image:RomeConstantine'sArch04.jpg|thumb|upright|Relief panels, round reliefs and frieze over left (west) arch, from south]]
[[File:RomeConstantine'sArch02.jpg|thumb|Round reliefs and frieze over right (east) arch, from south]]
Constantine's Arch is an important example, frequently cited in surveys of [[art history]], of the stylistic changes of the 4th century, and the "collapse of the classical Greek canon of forms during the late Roman period",{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=p.&nbsp;7}} a sign the city was in decline, and would soon be eclipsed by Constantine's founding of a new capital at [[Constantinople]] in 324.{{sfn|Aicher|2004|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC&pg=PA184 p.&nbsp;184]}} The contrast between the styles of the re-used Imperial reliefs of [[Trajan]], [[Hadrian]] and [[Marcus Aurelius]] and those newly made for the arch is dramatic and, according to [[Ernst Kitzinger]], "violent",{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=p.&nbsp;7}} that where the head of an earlier emperor was replaced by that of Constantine the artist was still able to achieve a "soft, delicate rendering of the face of Constantine" that was "a far cry from the dominant style of the workshop".{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=p.&nbsp;29}} It remains the most impressive surviving civic monument from Rome in [[Late Antiquity]], but is also one of the most controversial with regards to its origins and meanings.{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP7 p.&nbsp;7]}}

Kitzinger compares a [[roundel]] of Hadrian lion-hunting, which is "still rooted firmly in the tradition of late [[Hellenistic art]]", and there is "an illusion of open, airy space in which figures move freely and with relaxed self-assurance" with the later [[frieze]] where the figures are "pressed, trapped, as it were, between two imaginary planes and so tightly packed within the frame as to lack all freedom of movement in any direction", with "gestures that are "jerky, overemphatic and uncoordinated with the rest of the body".{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=p.&nbsp;7}} In the 4th century reliefs, the figures are disposed geometrically in a pattern that "makes sense only in relation to the spectator", in the ''largesse'' scene (below) centred on the emperor who looks directly out to the viewer. Kitzinger continues: <blockquote>Gone too is the classical canon of proportions. Heads are disproportionately large, trunks square, legs stubby ... Differences in the physical size of figures drastically underline differences of rank and importance which the second-century artist had indicated by subtle compositional means within a seemingly casual grouping. Gone, finally are elaboration of detail and differentiation of surface texture. Faces are cut rather than modeled, hair takes the form of a cap with some superficial [[stippling]], drapery folds are summarily indicated by deeply drilled lines.{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=p.&nbsp;8}}</blockquote>

The commission was clearly highly important, if hurried, and the work must be considered as reflecting the best available craftsmanship in Rome at the time; the same workshop was probably responsible for a number of surviving [[sarcophagi]].{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=p.&nbsp;8}} The question of how to account for what may seem a decline in both style and execution has generated a vast amount of discussion. Factors introduced into the discussion include: a breakdown of the transmission in artistic skills due to the political and economic disruption of the [[Crisis of the Third Century]],{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=pp.&nbsp;8–9}}influence from Eastern and other pre-classical regional styles from around the Empire (a view promoted by [[Josef Strzygowski]] (1862–1941), and now mostly discounted),{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=pp.&nbsp;9–12}} the emergence into high-status public art of a simpler "popular" or "Italic" style that had been used by the less wealthy throughout the reign of Greek models, an active ideological turning against what classical styles had come to represent, and a deliberate preference for seeing the world simply and exploiting the expressive possibilities of a simpler style.{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=pp.&nbsp;10–18}} The sculptors of Constantine's time were more interested in symbolism: both symbolism for religion as well as symbolism for history.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title = A History Of Western Architecture|last = Watkin|first = David|publisher = Laurence King Publishing|year = 2011|location = London|pages = 88}}</ref> One factor that cannot be responsible, as the date and origin of the Venice [[Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs]] show, is the rise of Christianity to official support, as the changes predated that.{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=pp.&nbsp;5–6, 9, 19}}

The stylistic references to the earlier arches of Titus and Septimius Severus, together with the incorporation of ''spolia'' from the times of other earlier emperors may be considered a deliberate tribute to Roman history.{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 p.&nbsp;13]}}

==Iconography==
The arch is heavily decorated with parts of older monuments, which assume a new meaning in the context of the Constantinian building. As it celebrates the victory of Constantine, the new "historic" friezes illustrating his campaign in Italy convey the central meaning: the praise of the emperor, both in battle and in his civilian duties. The other imagery supports this purpose: decoration taken from the "golden times" of the Empire under the 2nd century emperors whose reliefs were re-used places Constantine next to these "good emperors", and the content of the pieces evokes images of the victorious and pious ruler.

Another explanation given for the re-use is the short time between the start of construction (late 312 at the earliest) and the dedication (summer 315), so the architects used existing artwork to make up for the lack of time to create new art. It could be that so many old parts were used because the builders themselves did not&nbsp;''feel''&nbsp;the artists of their time could do better than what had already been done by different people.<ref name=":1" /> As yet another possible reason, it has often been suggested that the Romans of the 4th century truly did lack the artistic skill to produce acceptable artwork, and were aware of it, and therefore plundered the ancient buildings to adorn their contemporary monuments. This interpretation has become less prominent in more recent times, as the art of [[Late Antiquity]] has been appreciated in its own right. It is possible that a combination of those explanations is correct.{{sfn|Kitzinger|1977|loc=pp.&nbsp;8–15}}

===Attic===
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2017}}
{{wide image|KonstantinsbogenAttika.jpg|600px|align-cap=center|South attic}}
On the top of each column, large sculptures representing [[Dacians]] can be seen, which date from Trajan. Above the central archway is the inscription, forming the most prominent portion of the [[Attic (architecture)|attic]] and is identical on both sides of the arch. Flanking the inscription on both sides are four pairs of relief panels above the minor archways, eight in total. These were taken from an unknown monument erected in honour of [[Marcus Aurelius]]. On the north side, from left to right, the panels depict the emperor's return to Rome after the campaign (''[[adventus (art)|adventus]]''), the emperor leaving the city and saluted by a personification of the [[Via Flaminia]], the emperor distributing money among the people (''[[largitio]]''), and the emperor interrogating a German prisoner. On the south side, from left to right, are depicted a captured enemy chieftain led before the emperor, a similar scene with other prisoners (illustrated below), the emperor speaking to the troops (''[[adlocutio]]''), and the emperor sacrificing a pig, sheep and bull (''[[suovetaurilia]]''). Together with three panels now in the Capitoline Museum, the reliefs were probably taken from a triumphal monument commemorating [[Marcomannic Wars|Marcus Aurelius' war]] against the [[Marcomanni]] and the [[Sarmatians]] from 169–175, which ended with Marcus Aurelius' triumphant return in 176. On the ''largitio'' panel, the figure of Marcus Aurelius' son [[Commodus]] has been eradicated following the latter's ''[[damnatio memoriae]]''.

From the same time period the two large (3&nbsp;m high) panels decorating the attic on the east and west sides of the arch show scenes from [[Trajan]]'s [[Trajan's Dacian Wars|Dacian Wars]]. Together with the two reliefs on the inside of the central archway, these came from a large frieze celebrating the Dacian victory. The original place of this frieze was either the [[Forum of Trajan]], or the barracks of the emperor's horse guard on the [[Caelian Hill|Caelius]].
{{Gallery |width=160 | height=170 |align=center |File:Constarch_d4.jpg|Detail of relief panel, south side, right panel of left arch }}

===Main section===
The general layout of the main façade is identical on both sides of the arch, consisting of four columns on bases, dividing the structure into a central arch and two lateral arches, the latter being surmounted by two round [[reliefs]] over a horizontal [[frieze]]. The four columns are of [[Corinthian order]] made of Numidian yellow marble (''[[giallo antico]]''), one of which has been transferred into the [[Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano]] and was replaced by a white marble column. The columns stand on bases ([[plinths]] or socles), decorated on three sides. The reliefs on the front show [[Victoria (mythology)|''Victoria'']], either inscribing a shield or holding palm branches, while those to the side show captured barbarians alone or with Roman soldiers. Though Constantinian, they are modelled on those of the [[Arch of Septimius Severus]] (and the destroyed ''[[Arcus novus]]''{{efn|The ''Arcus novus'', was erected by [[Diocletian]] ''ca.'' 314 on the ''[[Via lata]]'', one of three triumphal arches on that road, and was destroyed ca. 1491 during reconstruction of [[Santa Maria in Via Lata]]. The remains, including the plinths are now in the [[Boboli Gardens]], in Florence.{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA21 p.&nbsp;21]}}}}), and may be considered as a "standard" item.{{sfn|Ferris|2013|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA21 p.&nbsp;21]}}

{{Gallery |width=160 | height=170 |align=center 
|File:KonstantinsbogenSäulenrelief.jpg|Detail of north plinth on second column from east (''see gallery''), viewed from east, with [[Victoria (mythology)|''Victoria'']] (left), prisoners (right)
|File:Arco di costantino, plinti 04.JPG|Detail of western plinths (''see detail of left plinth in side bar'')
|File:Luk Konstantyna 6DSCF0032.JPG|Round reliefs above right lateral archway, from south, over friezes
|File:Constantine Arch Roman Trophy IMG 6576.jpg|Plinths of columns on north side, looking west (''see detail to right'')
|File:Arco di costantino, plinti 13.JPG|Plinths, north side looking east
}}

The pairs of round reliefs above each lateral archway date to the times of Emperor [[Hadrian]]. They display scenes of hunting and sacrificing: (north side, left to right) hunt of a boar, sacrifice to [[Apollo]], hunt of a lion, sacrifice to [[Hercules]]. On the south side, the left pair show the departure for the hunt (see below) and sacrifice to [[Silvanus (mythology)|Silvanus]], while those on the right (illustrated on the right) show the hunt of a bear and sacrifice to [[Diana (goddess)|Diana]]. The head of the emperor (originally Hadrian) has been reworked in all medallions: on the north side, into Constantine in the hunting scenes and into [[Licinius]] or [[Constantius I]] in the sacrifice scenes; on the south side, vice versa. The reliefs, ''c.'' 2 m in diameter, were framed in [[porphyry (geology)|porphyry]]; this framing is only extant on the right side of the northern façade. Similar medallions, of Constantinian origin, are located on the small sides of the arch; the eastern side shows the Sun rising, on the western side, the Moon. Both are on chariots.

The [[spandrels]] of the main archway are decorated with reliefs depicting [[Victoria (mythology)|victory]] figures with trophies (illustrated below), those of the smaller archways show river gods. Column bases and spandrel reliefs are from the time of Constantine.
{{Gallery |width=160 | height=170 |align=center |File:Constarch_d2.jpg|Spandrel over main arch }}

==== Constantinian frieze ====
[[File:Arch of Constantine - detail 3 (4293299626).jpg|thumb|Obsidio (detail)]]
[[File:FriezeNorth5.jpg|thumb|Liberalitas (detail)]]
The horizontal frieze below the round reliefs are the main parts from the time of Constantine,{{sfn|Aicher|2004|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC&pg=PA184 p.&nbsp;184]}} running around the monument, one strip above each lateral archway and including the west and east sides of the arch. These "historical" reliefs depict scenes from the Italian campaign of Constantine against Maxentius which was the reason for the construction of the monument. The frieze starts at the western side with the Departure from [[Milan]] ([[Profectio]]). It continues on the southern, face, with the [[Battle of Verona (312)|Siege of Verona]] ([[wikt:obsidio|Obsidio]]) on the left (South west), an event which was of great importance to the war in Northern Italy. On the right (South east) is depicted the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] ([[wikt:proelium|Proelium]]) with Constantine's army victorious and the enemy drowning in the river [[Tiber]].{{sfn|Aicher|2004|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC&pg=PA184 p.&nbsp;184]}} On the eastern side, Constantine and his army enter Rome ([[wikt:ingressus|Ingressus]]); the artist seems to have avoided using imagery of the triumph, as Constantine probably did not want to be shown triumphant over the Eternal City. On the northern face, looking towards the city, are two strips with the emperor's actions after taking possession of Rome. On the left (North east) is Constantine speaking to the citizens on the [[Forum Romanum]] ([[wikt:oratio|Oratio]]), while to the right (North west) is the final panel with Constantine distributing money to the people ([[Liberalitas]]).{{sfn|Bandinelli|Torelli|1992}}{{sfn|Follo et al|2015}}
{{Gallery |width=160 | height=60 |align=center |File:RomaArcoCostantinoFregioCostantinianoLatoW.jpg|West: Profectio|File:Arco di costantino, fregio costantiniano 01.jpg|South west: Obsidio|File:Arco di costantino, fregio costantiniano 02.jpg|South east: Proelium|File:Arch of Constantine East Frieze.jpg|East: Ingressus|File:Arch of Constantine forum frieze.jpg|North east: Oratio|File:Arco di costantino, fregio costantiniano 04.jpg|North west: Liberalitas }}

===Inner sides of the archways===
In the central archway, there is one large panel of Trajan's Dacian War on each wall. Inside the lateral archways are eight portraits busts (two on each wall), destroyed to such an extent that it is no longer possible to identify them.

==Inscriptions==
The main inscription on the [[#Attic|attic]] would originally have been of [[bronze]] letters. It can still be read easily; only the recesses in which the letters sat, and their attachment holes, remain. It reads thus, identically on both sides (with abbreviations completed in parentheses): 
:{{smallcaps|{{nocaps|IMP(eratori) · CAES(ari) · FL(avio) · CONSTANTINO · MAXIMO · P(io) · F(elici) · AVGVSTO · S(enatus) · P(opulus) · Q(ue) · R(omanus) · 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}}}}

: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 Roman People have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs.{{sfn|Aicher|2004|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC&pg=PA184 p.&nbsp;184]}}

The words ''instinctu divinitatis'' ("inspired by the divine") have been greatly commented on. They are usually read as sign of Constantine's shifting religious affiliation:{{sfn|Aicher|2004|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC&pg=PA184 p.&nbsp;184]}} The Christian tradition, most notably [[Lactantius]] and [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], relate the story of a vision of God to Constantine during the campaign, and that he was [[in hoc signo vinces|victorious in the sign of the cross]] [[battle of the Milvian Bridge|at the Milvian Bridge]]. The official documents (esp. coins) still prominently display the [[Sun god]] until 324, while Constantine started to support the Christian church from 312 on. In this situation, the vague wording of the inscription can be seen as the attempt to please all possible readers, being deliberately ambiguous, and acceptable to both pagans and Christians.
As was customary, the vanquished enemy is not mentioned by name, but only referred to as "the tyrant", drawing on the notion of the rightful killing of a tyrannical ruler; together with the image of the "[[just war]]", it serves as justification of Constantine's civil war against [[Maxentius]].

Two short inscriptions on the inside of the central archway transport a similar message: Constantine came not as conqueror, but freed Rome from occupation:
:{{smallcaps|{{nocaps|LIBERATORI VRBIS}}}} (liberator of the city) &mdash; {{smallcaps|{{nocaps|FUNDATORI QVIETIS}}}} (founder of peace)

Over each of the small archways, inscriptions read:
:{{smallcaps|{{nocaps|VOTIS X &mdash; VOTIS XX}}}}
:{{smallcaps|{{nocaps|SIC X &mdash; SIC XX}}}}
They give a hint on the date of the arch: "Solemn vows for the 10th anniversary – for the 20th anniversary" and "as for the 10th, so for the 20th anniversary". Both refer to Constantine's ''decennalia'', i.e. the 10th anniversary of his reign (counted from 306), which he celebrated in Rome in the summer of 315. It can be assumed that the arch honouring his victory was inaugurated during his stay in the city.

==Works modeled on or inspired by the Arch of Constantine==
*[[Brandenburg Gate (Potsdam)|Brandenburg Gate]] (1770) – [[Potsdam]], Prussia
*[[Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel]] (1806) – Paris
*[[Arc de Triomphe du Bucharest]] (1922) – Bucharest
*[[Marble Arch]] (1828) – London
*[[Arcade du Cinquantenaire]] (1905) – Brussels
*[[Washington Union Station]] (1908) – Washington, D.C.
*[[American Museum of Natural History]], east façade (1936) – New York City
*[[Bond University]] (1989) – [[City of Gold Coast|Gold Coast]], Australia
*[[Kedleston Hall]] – Derbyshire, England
*[[Church of Saint-Denis]], façade – Paris
*[[Arch of Triumph (Pyongyang)|Arch of triumph]] – [[Pyongyang]], North Korea
*[[Pitzhanger Manor]] – [[Ealing]], London. 
*[[Siegestor]] – Munich
{{wide image|Триумфальная арка Константина.jpg|600px|align-cap=center|Arch of Constantine, viewed from the Colosseum looking south west to [[Palatine Hill]]}}

== See also ==
*{{annotated link|Arch of Dolabella}}
*{{annotated link|Aqua Alexandrina}}
*[[List of Roman triumphal arches]]
*[[List of ancient monuments in Rome]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==Citations ==
{{reflist|20em}}

==References ==
* {{cite book|last1=Aicher|first1=Peter J.|title=Rome alive : a source-guide to the ancient city|date=2004|publisher=Bolchazy-Carducci|location=Wauconda, Ill.|isbn=978-0865164734|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6m9g5G8Z1YC|access-date=19 October 2015}}
* {{cite book|last1=Bandinelli|first1=Ranuccio Bianchi|last2=Torelli|first2=Mario|author-link1=Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli|author-link2=Mario Torelli|title=L'arte dell'antichità classica. Volume 2: Etruria-Roma|date=1992|publisher=Utet|location=Torino|isbn=978-8877501950|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bL-fAAAAMAAJ|access-date=23 October 2015|language=it}}
* {{cite book|last1=Barnes|first1=Timothy D.|author-link=Timothy Barnes (classicist)|title=Constantine and Eusebius|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGDjJK-JeSwC|date=1981|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge, MA|isbn=978-0-674-16531-1}}
* {{cite book|last1=Conforto|first1=Maria Letizia|title=Adriano e Costantino: le due fasi dell'arco nella valle del Colosseo|date=2001|publisher=Electa|location=Milan|isbn=978-8843578399|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KPpJAQAAIAAJ|access-date=21 October 2015|language=it}}
* {{cite journal|editor1-last=Deane|editor1-first=Sidney N|title=Archaeological News July December 1920|journal=American Journal of Archaeology|date=January–March 1921|volume=25 |issue=1|pages=83–109|jstor=497891}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Elsner|first1=Jaś|title=From the culture of spolia to the cult of relics: the Arch of Constantine and the genesis of late antique forms|journal=Papers of the British School at Rome|date=2000|volume=68|pages=149–184|doi=10.1017/S0068246200003901|s2cid=192088697 }}
* {{cite book|last1=Ferris|first1=Iain|title=The Arch of Constantine: Inspired by the Divine|date=2013|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|location=Stroud|isbn=978-1445635446|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ihGoAwAAQBAJ|access-date=25 October 2015}}
* {{cite web|last1=Follo|first1=Valentina|last2=Harris|first2=Beth|last3=Zucker|first3=Steven|title=Arch of Constantine|url=https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/roman/late-empire/v/arch-of-constantine-315-c-e|website=Art of the Ancient Mediterranean: Roman|publisher=Khan Academy|access-date=21 October 2015|date=2015|format=video|ref={{harvid|Follo et al|2015}}}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Frothingham|first1=A. L.|title=Who Built the Arch of Constantine? Its History from Domitian to Constantine|journal=American Journal of Archaeology|date=July 1912|volume=16|issue=3|pages=368–386|doi=10.2307/497194|jstor=497194|s2cid=193057848 }}
* {{cite journal|last1=Gradara|first1=C|title=Restauri settecenteschi fatti all'Arco di Costantino|journal=Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Communale di Roma|date=1918|volume=46|pages=161–164|url=http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/bcom1918/0169|language=it}}
* {{cite book|last1=Kitzinger|first1=Ernst|author-link=Ernst Kitzinger|title=Byzantine art in the making: Main lines of stylistic development in mediterranean art, 3rd–7th century.|date=1977|publisher=Harvard Univ. Press|location=Cambridge, Mass.|isbn=978-0674089556|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgfqAAAAMAAJ|access-date=21 October 2015}}
** [https://www.jstor.org/stable/3049920 Review: Art Bulletin 1979]
* {{cite book|editor1-last=Pensabene|editor1-first=Patrizio|editor2-last=Panella|editor2-first=Clementina|editor-link2=Clementina Panella|title=Arco di Costantino: tra archeologia e archeometria|date=2001|publisher="L'Erma" di Bretschneider|location=Rome|isbn=978-8882650360|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h6yCW95z69IC|access-date=21 October 2015|language=it}}

== Further reading ==

=== Books ===
* Bonamente, Giorgio (ed.) 1992. Costantino il Grande dall'Antichità all'Umanesimo; Atti del 2. colloquio sul Cristianesimo nel mondo antico, Università di Macerata, 18-20 dicembre 1990
* {{cite book|editor1-last=Ewald|editor1-first=Björn C.|editor2-last=Noreña|editor2-first=Carlos F.|title=The emperor and Rome : space, representation, and ritual|date=2010|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=9780521519533|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tXzO4b2Z-44C}}
* {{cite book|last1=Frothingham|first1=Arthur Lincoln|title=Who Built the Arch of Constantine?: Its History from Domitian to Constantine|date=2012|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform|isbn=9781477633144|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x8FZLwEACAAJ|access-date=29 October 2015}}
* {{cite book|last1=Lanciani|first1=Rodolfo Amedeo|title=Pagan and Christian Rome|date=1892|publisher=Houghton, Mifflin|location=Boston|url=https://archive.org/details/paganandchristi02lancgoog|access-date=25 October 2015}}
* {{cite book|editor1-last=Lenski|editor1-first=Noel|title=The Cambridge companion to the Age of Constantine|date=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=9781107013407|edition=Revised|orig-year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uszZkiLH61QC|access-date=26 October 2015}}
* {{cite book|last1=L'Orange|first1=Hans Peter|last2=von Gerkan|first2=Armin|title=Der spätantike Bildschmuck des Konstantinsbogens|year=1939|publisher=de Gruyter|location=Berlin|series=Studien zur spätantiken Kunstgeschichte, 10|pages=238|isbn=((978-3-11-002249-0))|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2iZ2mZLZyMYC|access-date=2015-10-26}}
* {{cite book|last1=Middleton|first1=John Henry|author-link=John Henry Middleton|title=The remains of ancient Rome|date=1892|publisher=Adam and Charles Black|location=London|url=https://archive.org/details/remainsofancient00midd|access-date=25 October 2015}}
* {{cite book|last1=Richardson|first1=Lawrence|title=A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome|date=1992|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|location=Baltimore|isbn=9780801843006|url=https://archive.org/details/newtopographical0000rich|url-access=registration|access-date=28 October 2015}}
* {{cite book|last1=Ryberg|first1=Inez Scott|title=Panel Reliefs of Marcus Aurelius|date=1967|publisher=Archaeological Institute of America|location=NY|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=05rpAAAAMAAJ|access-date=25 October 2015|format=Monographs on archaeology and the fine arts, 14. [[ASIN]]: B0006BQ1JW}}
** [http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=acls;cc=acls;view=toc;idno=heb06150.0001.001 Contents] 
* {{cite book|last1=Varner|first1=Eric R.|title=Monumenta Graeca et Romana. damnatio memoriae and Roman imperial portraiture|date=2004|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden|isbn=90-04-13577-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5IpPhTqnDJkC}}

=== Articles and chapters===
* {{cite journal|last1=Bieber|first1=Margarete|title=Die Medaillons am Konstantinsbogen|journal=Mitteilungen des Kaiserlich Deutschen Archaeologischen Instituts, Roemische Abtheilung|date=1911|pages=214–237|url=https://archive.org/stream/mitteilungendesk26kaisrich#page/214/mode/2up|access-date=26 October 2015|language=de}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=H. Stuart|title=Notes on Roman historical sculptures: II The Relief-Medallions of the Arch of Constantine|journal=Papers of the British School at Rome|date=1906|volume=3|pages=229–251|url=https://archive.org/stream/papersofbritishs03brit#page/228/mode/2up|access-date=26 October 2015|doi=10.1017/S0068246200005006|s2cid=191433014 }}
* {{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=Mark Wilson|title=Genesis and Mimesis: The Design of the Arch of Constantine in Rome|journal=The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians|date=March 2000|volume=59|issue=1|pages=50–77|url=http://opus.bath.ac.uk/12849/|doi=10.2307/991562|jstor=991562|url-access=subscription}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Koeppel|first1=Gerhard|author-link=Gerhard Koeppel|title=Die historischen Reliefs der römischen Kaiserzeit IV: Stadtrömische Denkmäler unbekannter Bauzugehörigkeit aus hadrianischer bis konstantinischer Zeit|journal=Bonner Jahrbücher|date=1986|volume=186|pages=1–90|doi=10.11588/bjb.1986.0.83339 |url=https://doi.org/10.11588/bjb.1986.0.83339}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Koeppel|first1=Gerhard|author-link=Gerhard Koeppel|title=Die historischen Reliefs der römischen Kaiserzeit VII. Der Bogen des Septimius Severus, die Decennalienbasis und der Konstantinsbogen|journal=Bonner Jahrbücher|date=1990|volume=190|pages=1–64|doi=10.11588/bjb.1990.0.58688 |url=https://doi.org/10.11588/bjb.1990.0.58688}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Marlowe|first1=Elizabeth|title=Framing the Sun: The Arch of Constantine and the Roman Cityscape|journal=The Art Bulletin|date=June 2006|volume=88|issue=2|pages=223–242|jstor=25067243|doi=10.1080/00043079.2006.10786288|s2cid=191508817}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140124192300/http://www.colgate.edu/portaldata/imagegallerywww/fab2bcd8-33c3-4d30-a266-ead051c8383b/ImageGallery/FramingtheSun.pdf Full text available on line])
* {{cite book|last1=Marlowe|first1=Elizabeth|title=Liberator Urbis Suae: Constantine and the Ghost of Maxentius|date=2010}} in {{harvtxt|Ewald|Noreña|2010|loc=[https://www.colgate.edu/portaldata/imagegallerywww/fab2bcd8-33c3-4d30-a266-ead051c8383b/ImageGallery/LiberatorUrbisSuae.pdf pp.&nbsp;199–219]}}
* Patrizio Pensabene (1992). Il reimpiego nell'età costantiniana a Roma, in Bonamente, Giorgio 1992 Pt. 2 p.&nbsp;749-768

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081031012134/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1960/OR1960v1.pdf 1960 Summer Olympics official report.] Volume 1. p.&nbsp;80.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080527211502/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1960/OR1960v2pt1.pdf 1960 Summer Olympics official report.] Volume 2, Part 1. p.&nbsp;118.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101128221550/http://rome101.com/Topics/ArchConstantine/ The Arch of Constantine], a detailed article "for scholars and enthusiasts"
*[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/Arch_of_Constantine/inscriptions.html Inscriptions illustrated and discussed]
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.889683,12.490404&spn=0.003604,0.006809&t=k&hl=en Google Maps satellite image]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130609172436/http://www.romainteractive.com/eng/guided_tours/arch_of_constantine.html Guided tour of the Arch of Constantine on Roma Interactive]
*High-resolution 360° Panoramas and Images of [https://mcid.mcah.columbia.edu/art-atlas/ancient-and-early-christian-sites-rome/arch-constantine Arch of Constantine | Art Atlas]
{{commons-inline}}

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[[Category:Ancient Roman triumphal arches in Rome|Constantine]]
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