|
ARCO DI COSTANTINO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This monument marks the boundary between Roman Forum and Coliseum area. It was built in 315 A. D. in memory of Constantine's victory against Maxentius. There is an interesting inscription on it, that tells about Constantine's deeds under the inspiration of a divinity, without any specifications about it. The fact is peculiar because Constantine, who was not Christian, looked benevolently at Christianity and promoted its expansion.
It is the greatest of the three triumphal arches in Rome, 25 mt. high. The maximum span of the central barrel-vault is 6,5 mt. high. It was built in a time in which Rome's decadency began pro Constantinople; for this reason the wealth of the city was reduced much, the building activity was practically over, and the same materials used for the building of the arch had been taken from other monuments. So in its composition statues and decorations originally put elsewhere were used too. Definitely this splendid arch was built trying to save as much as possible.
|
|
