Arch of Constantine

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Arch of Constantine
AD 312-315
Paul Artus p.104 Workbook p. 92
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But first...a list of Emperors

• Trajanic Dynasty
• Nerva AD96-98
• Trajan AD98-117
• Hadrian AD117-138
• Antonine Dynasty
• Antoninus Pius AD138-161
• Marcus Aurelius AD161- 180
• Lucis Verus AD161-169
• Commodus AD177-192
• Severan dynasty
• (11 emperors)
• Emperors during the height of crisis AD 235-268
• Philip the Arabian
• Many others (constant change)
• Constantine AD 337-307

• Julio-Claudian dynasty
• Augustus 27BC- AD14
• Tiberius AD14 - 37
• Caligula AD37 41
• Claudius AD 41- 54
• Nero AD54- 68
• Year of 4 emperors
• (AD 68 AD69)
• Galba
• Otho
• Vitellius
• Flavian Dynasty
• Vespasian AD69-79
• Titus AD79-81
• Domitian AD 81-96

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• Usurper person who tries to steal your job (as
  emperor) without authority to
• Decursio emperor riding into battle
• Adventus Augusti triumphal return of Emperor
  into Rome
• Oratio The Emperor speaking to the Roman people
• Donatio the gift of money, given to the people
  from the Emperors own purse

Vocab list for The Arch Of Constantine
Hippo and arch!?!
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Work books p. 92, Paul Artus p. 103

• Location West side of the Colosseum, in Rome
• Architectural type arch
• Dates of Construction AD 312-315
• Inscription The centre of the attic on the north
  and south sides is a long inscription that
  proclaims that the Arch was dedicated to
  Constantine by the Senate and people of Rome on
  the occasion of his victory over a
  usurper/tyrant (referring to Constantine
  defeating the Emperor Maxentius at the battle of
  the Milvian bridge, Italy in AD312)
• Dimensions Height 21m, width 25.7m, depth 7.4m
• Central archway height 11.5m, width 6.5m
• Side archways height 7.4 m, width 3.36m

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On p.92, annotate the sculptural features of this
building
Projecting plinths (with men Dacians on them)
Inscription on attic
Corinthian capitals with Fluted columns
entablature
Each column has a pilaster behind it. Columns are
freestanding
roundels
The spandrels of the main arch begin at the
height of the small arches
2 small vaulted arches flank central archway
Bases of columns are engaged
Projecting Pedestal
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F a c t s

• The arch is the same size and shape of the arch
  of Septimius Severus
• It is the last triumphal arch built in Rome
• Constantine rejected traditional Roman religion
  in favour of Christianity (he died a baptised
  christian)
• Built while Constantine was still alive
  (different to arch of Titus)
• It is also different to the Arch of Titus in that
  it has 3 arches and is more elaborate and
  detailed.
• Constantine ruled as emperor for ten years, this
  was impressive as most did not last very long
• The monument is architecturally harmonious
  (balanced)

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On a piece of paper in your notes, write
Decoration

• The sculptured decoration is the main feature of
  the building, it is not contemporary (from the
  same time) with the arch but sourced from earlier
  (2nd cent) imperial monuments from Constantines
  predecessors
• This is a piece of Imperial Propaganda, as each
  piece which is sourced from a different monument
  still carries the same message the emperors
  virtue, his military power and his support of the
  traditional values loved by Romans. (all ideas
  from past imperial propaganda, still relevant for
  Constantine)

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Trajan
Parts taken from the emperor
Trajan Brown
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Stone figures on the projecting plinth along the
attic are Dacian captives. They are Foreign
(barbarian)- long trousers, shaggy beard, felt
caps. These were taken from TRAJANs forum.
(AD107-113.) There are 8 Statues. Hands and
heads Have been Restored. Links back to Success
over Foreign enemies. says Constantine Is a
great general Like Trajan
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• Great Trajanic frieze (AD110 -117),
• 4 large panels
• it once formed a continuous narrative battle
  frieze
• It records Trajans war victory over the
  Dacians
• On Constantines arch it is divided into panels
• 2 on inner side of central arch
• 2 on east/west side of arch

decursio (emperor riding into battle) at the
head of the army while the Enemy fall beneath His
horses hooves. Adventus Augusti The triumphal
Emperor returning to Rome. Trajan stands,
About to be crowned with laurel wreath by the
goddess of victory Head of these has been
recarved to resemble the head of Constantine!
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Trajan friezes Are highlighted