Iconography Arch of Constantine

1 iconography

1.1 attic
1.2 main section

1.2.1 constantinian frieze


1.3 inner sides of archways

iconography

the arch heavily decorated parts of older monuments, assume new meaning in context of constantinian building. celebrates victory of constantine, new historic friezes illustrating campaign in italy convey central meaning: praise of emperor, both in battle , in civilian duties. other imagery supports purpose: decoration taken golden times of empire under 2nd century emperors reliefs re-used places constantine next these emperors , , content of pieces evokes images of victorious , pious ruler.

another explanation given re-use short time between start of construction (late 312 @ earliest) , dedication (summer 315), architects used existing artwork make lack of time create new art. many old parts used because builders did not feel the artists of time better had been done different people. yet possible reason, has been suggested romans of 4th century did lack artistic skill produce acceptable artwork, , aware of it, , therefore plundered ancient buildings adorn contemporary monuments. interpretation has become less prominent in more recent times, art of late antiquity has been appreciated in own right. possible combination of explanations correct.

attic



south attic

on top of each column, large sculptures representing dacians can seen, date trajan. above central archway inscription, forming prominent portion of attic , identical on both sides of arch. flanking inscription on both sides 4 pairs of relief panels above minor archways, 8 in total. these taken unknown monument erected in honour of marcus aurelius. on north side, left right, panels depict emperor s return rome after campaign (adventus), emperor leaving city , saluted personification of via flaminia, emperor distributing money among people (largitio), , emperor interrogating german prisoner. on south side, left right, depicted captured enemy chieftain led before emperor, similar scene other prisoners (illustrated below), emperor speaking troops (adlocutio), , emperor sacrificing pig, sheep , bull (suovetaurilia). 3 panels in capitoline museum, reliefs taken triumphal monument commemorating marcus aurelius war against marcomanni , sarmatians 169 – 175, ended marcus aurelius triumphant return in 176. on largitio panel, figure of marcus aurelius son commodus has been eradicated following latter s damnatio memoriae.

from same time period 2 large (3 m high) panels decorating attic on east , west sides of arch show scenes trajan s dacian wars. 2 reliefs on inside of central archway, these came large frieze celebrating dacian victory. original place of frieze either forum of trajan, or barracks of emperor s horse guard on caelius.

main section

detail of north plinth on second column east (see gallery), viewed east, victoria (left), prisoners (right)



round relief, south side, far left. departure hunt

the general layout of main facade identical on both sides of arch, consisting of 4 columns on bases, dividing structure central arch , 2 lateral arches, latter being surmounted 2 round reliefs on horizontal frieze. 4 columns of corinthian order made of numidian yellow marble (giallo antico), 1 of has been transferred basilica di san giovanni in laterano , replaced white marble column. columns stand on bases (plinths or socles), decorated on 3 sides. reliefs on front show victoria, either inscribing shield or holding palm branches, while side show captured barbarians alone or roman soldiers. though constantinian, modelled on of arch of septimius severus (and destroyed arcus novus), , may considered standard item.

the pairs of round reliefs above each lateral archway date times of emperor hadrian. display scenes of hunting , sacrificing: (north side, left right) hunt of boar, sacrifice apollo, hunt of lion, sacrifice hercules. on south side, left pair show departure hunt (see below) , sacrifice silvanus, while on right (illustrated on right) show hunt of bear , sacrifice diana. head of emperor (originally hadrian) has been reworked in medallions: on north side, constantine in hunting scenes , licinius or constantius in sacrifice scenes; on south side, vice versa. reliefs, c. 2 m in diameter, framed in porphyry; framing extant on right side of northern facade. similar medallions, of constantinian origin, located on small sides of arch; eastern side shows sun rising, on western side, moon. both on chariots.

the spandrels of main archway decorated reliefs depicting victory figures trophies (illustrated below), of smaller archways show river gods. column bases , spandrel reliefs time of constantine.

constantinian frieze

obsidio (detail)



liberalitas (detail)

the horizontal frieze below round reliefs main parts time of constantine, running around monument, 1 strip above each lateral archway , including west , east sides of arch. these historical reliefs depict scenes italian campaign of constantine against maxentius reason construction of monument. frieze starts @ western side departure milan (profectio). continues on southern, face, siege of verona (obsidio) on left (south west), event of great importance war in northern italy. on right (south east) depicted battle of milvian bridge (proelium) constantine s army victorious , enemy drowning in river tiber. on eastern side, constantine , army enter rome (ingressus); artist seems have avoided using imagery of triumph, constantine did not want shown triumphant on eternal city. on northern face, looking towards city, 2 strips emperor s actions after taking possession of rome. on left (north east) constantine speaking citizens on forum romanum (oratio), while right (north west) final panel constantine distributing money people (liberalitas).

inner sides of archways

in central archway, there 1 large panel of trajan s dacian war on each wall. inside lateral archways 8 portraits busts (two on each wall), destroyed such extent no longer possible identify them.

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