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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. |