Purpose and Historical Context:

The arch of Constantine was constructed to commemorate the triumph of Constantine 1 after his victory over Maxentius. The Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312CE was the essential moment in the ruling of Constantine. After the death of his father, it was announced that Constantine would be the new Agustus of the Britain troops in 306CE, even though he had no legal right to this title. He still refused to relinquish it. Maxentius, the ruler of Rome had claimed the title of Agustus of the western empire and also refused to relinquish it. This conflict was resolved when the army of Constantine defeated the army of Maxentuis. After Constantine’s victory the Roman senate awarded him with the triumphal Arch of Constantine. The arch took about three years to construct starting in 312CE and ending in 315CE. This victory was an essential part of roman history; this is why the senate created this exceptional monument so that this triumph would never be forgotten. Even though the monument was built to guarantee that the Roman people would remember this great victory, it was also constructed to display the power and success of the Roman Empire and its new emperor, Constantine.

Location, Materials and style:

The Arch is located in the valley of the Colosseum in Rome, between the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. The arch of Constantine is a three way arch, measuring 21meters in height, 25.7 meters in width and 7.4 meters in depth. The decorative elements on the monument are considered to be spolia (parts taken from earlier monuments). The arch is composed from the regins of trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aureluius and Constantine. The lower part of the arch is built of white marble in opus quadratum, while the attic is opus latericium covered with marble slab.

This is the inscription at the top of the main arch way of the Arch of Constantine. This inscription reads, "To Emperor Caesar Falvius Constantinus Maximus Pius Felix Augustus, the Senate and the people of Rome dedicated an arch decorated with triumphal representations because, through divine inspiration and great wisdom, with his army and just arms he freed the state from the tyrant and all factions."

This statement means that the arch is dedicated to Constantine by the Sanate of Rome for his victory over Maxentius at the Milivan Bridge.