Arch of Constantine

Paul Artus p.104Workbook p. 92

AD 312-315

But first...a list of EmperorsJulio-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

Trajanic Dynasty• Nerva AD96-98• Trajan AD98-117• Hadrian AD117-138Antonine 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

• 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 Emperor’s own purse

Hippo and arch!?!

Vocab list for

The Arch

Of

Constantine

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 7.4mCentral archway – height 11.5m, width 6.5mSide archways – height 7.4 m, width 3.36m

On p.92, annotate the sculptural features of this building

Projecting plinths (with men ‘Dacians’ on them)

Inscription on attic

entablature

roundels

Projecting Pedestal

Each column has a pilaster behind it. Columns are freestanding

Corinthian capitals with Fluted columns

2 small vaulted arches flank central archway

Bases of columns are engaged

The spandrels of the main arch begin at the height of the small arches

facts

• 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)

On a piece of paper in your notes, write ‘Decoration’

• The sculptured decoration is the main feature of the building, most of it is not contemporary (from the same time) with the arch but sourced from earlier (2nd cent) imperial monuments from Constantine’s predecessors > taken from other Emperor’s monuments & put on to his.

• The bases of the pedestals are decorated with standing relief figures carved on 3 sides (ie. East, west, north)

• This is a piece of Imperial Propaganda, as each piece which is sourced from a different monument still carries the same message – the emperor’s virtue, his military power and his support of the traditional values loved by Romans. (all ideas from past imperial propaganda, still relevant for Constantine)

TrajanParts taken from the emperor

Trajan: Brown

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 TRAJAN’s forum. (AD107-113.)

There are 8 Statues.Hands and headsHave been Restored.

Links back toSuccess over Foreign enemies.& says ConstantineIs a great generalLike Trajan

• ‘Great Trajanic frieze’ (AD110 -117), • 4 large panels• it once formed a continuous narrative battle frieze• It records Trajan’s war & victory over the Dacians • On Constantine’s 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 beneathHis 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!

MARCUS AURELIUS

Parts taken from the emperor

Yellow

• Attic is decorated with 8 rectangular

reliefs, between the Dacian captives

CommemorateMarcus AureliusVictory in Germany& Eastern Europe. 4 onEach side.

The panels on one side are the Emperor Entering Rome. Leaving the city.

Then, Distributing money,& surrender of Barbarian

chiefs.