Arch of Constantine

A triumphal arch was built to honor a major turning point in history and the major transformation of the religious landscape of the western world. Owing him the influence of the major faith in the world, the Arch of Constantine was built in 313 ‘till 315 AD to honor Constantine’s victory.

Emperor Constantine had patronage the ultimate conversion to Christianity from paganism which ended Christian persecution. His defeat over Maxentius from the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD gave him power to solely control the Roman Empire in the west and finally brought peace Rome. This gave him imperial power and integral authority to tolerate Christianity throughout Rome. It was his conviction and appreciation of the Christian God that made him triumphant over Maxentius, thus gave rise to Christianity as the official religion of Rome and now one of the largest religions in the world. Hence, it turned the Arch of Constantine as the symbol of Christianization of Rome and the Romanization of Christianity.

This Arch of Constantine, also known to Romans as Arcus Constantini, was made up of brick and marble materials. Many of the embellished effigies of the Arch of Constantine have been incorporated from older monuments, buildings and remnants of figures since the time of Emperor Hadrian and Emperor Trajan. The sculptures were partially restored and integrated into the arch to associate Constantine to the other great emperors of Rome.

The Arch of Constantine stands 21 meters high with a width of about 26 meters. It consists of a large main arch at the center and smaller identical arcs on both sides. The Arch of Constantine is located between the·Colosseum·and the Palantine Hill.