---
title: Triumphal Arch: A Roman Exercise in Architectural Vanity
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-04-18
---

# Triumphal Arch: A Roman Exercise in Architectural Vanity

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

The triumphal arch was a type of [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) architectural monument built all over the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) to commemorate military triumphs and other significant events such as the accession of a new emperor. Celebrated surviving examples of triumphal arches include the Arch of [Constantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Constantine/) and the Arch of [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/), both in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).

Triumphal arches could have a single arch or multiple arches with a larger central arch. They were often erected over major thoroughfares and as this structure had no practical function as a building it was often richly decorated with architectural details, [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) and a commemorative inscription, typically made using [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) letters.

### Early Arches

The earliest known examples of triumphal arches date from the 2nd century BCE and were set up by L.Sertinius in the Forum Boarium and near the [Circus Maximus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/) in Rome in 196 BCE to commemorate his campaigns in Spain. Sometimes arches were used to replace existing [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) gates, for example, at Timgad (modern Algeria) in the 2nd century CE, at Antalya (modern [Turkey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/)) and at Verulamium in [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/). Arches could also stand across approach roads outside the city proper, for example, at Aosta, Aquino, Canosa and [Jerash](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jerash/). At Ancona one triumphal arch even stands in splendid isolation on one of the harbour moles. Many arches were, though, free-standing symbolic monuments protected by steps and so were not accessible to through traffic, for example, the four-way arch of Septimius Severus at [Lepcis Magna](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lepcis_Magna/) (c. 200 CE) and the arches of [Tiberius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiberius/) and [Titus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Titus/) in Rome.

### Arches in Rome

Rome alone had over 50 triumphal arches but, unfortunately, most have not survived. Amongst these was the Arch of [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) which was built in 19 BCE to honour the emperor's victory over the Parthians. Nevertheless, we do know that the monument had three arches and statues of defeated soldiers. The Arch of Titus (c. 81 CE) does survive and, displaying Titus riding a bronze four-horse [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) (*quadriga*) and crowned by Victory, it was built to commemorate his victories in [Judaea](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/judaea/) and [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/) in 70-71 CE. Both of these ancient structres stood in the [Forum Romanum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/) ([Roman Forum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/)). Another surviving arch is the Arch of Septimius Severus built in c. 203 CE, which in fact was also dedicated by the Senate and the People of Rome (S.P.Q.R.) to his son [Caracalla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caracalla/) in honour of their victories against the Parthians, relief scenes of which, decorate the arch.

[ ![Porte Mars, Reims](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/2272.jpg?v=1766358917) Porte Mars, Reims Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2272/porte-mars-reims/ "Porte Mars, Reims")The largest surviving example of the triumphal arch is the Arch of Constantine, built in Rome in c. 315 CE to commemorate the emperor Constantine's victory over Maxentius in 312 CE. The arch is typical of the genre and presents a huge 20 metre high rectangular block of masonry consisting of three separate arches: one larger central arched passageway with a shorter and narrower arch on either side. All three arches express the same ratio of height and width. Dividing the arches are four detached Corinthian columns, each stood on a pedestal and topped with an entablature. Above the entablature, and as it were extending the columns, stand four pedestals, each carrying a statue. The block or 'attic' storey above the arches also presents sculpted panels and a dedicatory inscription in Latin, a common feature of triumphal arches. Parts of the sculpture were recycled from earlier monuments, notably the panels of the attic which were taken from the Arch of [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Aurelius/) (c. 174 CE) and the inner central arch reliefs which were removed from the Basilica Ulpia in [Trajan](https://www.worldhistory.org/trajan/)'s Forum. The eight statues are Dacian prisoners and possibly came from the Arch of [Domitian](https://www.worldhistory.org/domitian/). Other panels depict a lion hunt and sacrifices whilst the main frieze scenes commemorate Constantine's military victories, including the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) with Maxentius.

### Later Influence

The monumental structure of the Roman triumphal arches would significantly influence western [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) from the 15th century. In the following centuries, not only was there a revival of the entire form as a commemorative monument (notably [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/)' *Arc de Triomphe*), but also elements of the triumphal arch were employed in completely different structures such as the facade of [Leon Battista Alberti](https://www.worldhistory.org/Leon_Battista_Alberti/)'s Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini and his church of St. Andrea in Mantua whose nave arcades strongly echo ideas taken from the triumphal arch. Perhaps more fundamentally, the narrow-wide-narrow motif of the three arches divided by columns became a widely used form in the revival of classical architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Claridge, A. *Rome.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199546835/)
- [Henig, M. *A Handbook of Roman Art.* Cornell Univ Pr, 1983.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0801492424/)
- Masi, S. *Rome & The Vatican.* Bonechi, Rome, 1989
- [Oleson, J.P. *Oxford Handbook of Engineering & Technology in the Classical World by Oleson, John..* OUP, Paperback(2009), 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B008AUIXNS/)
- [Summerson, J. *The Classical Language of Architecture.* The MIT Press, 1992.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B006QETIZC/)
- [Wheeler, M. *Roman Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500200211/)

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Timeline

- **196 BCE**: The earliest known Triumphal Arches are built in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) by L.Sertinius.
- **121 BCE**: The first [triumphal arch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/) is added to [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s [Forum Romanum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/).
- **19 BCE**: Arch of [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) built in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) to commemorate victory over the Parthians.
- **c. 81 CE**: The Arch of [Titus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Titus/) is built in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s [Forum Romanum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/) to commemorate the [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/).
- **c. 200 CE**: The four-way [Triumphal Arch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/) of [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/) is built at [Lepcis Magna](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lepcis_Magna/).
- **203 CE**: The Arch of [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/) is built in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s [Forum Romanum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/) to commemorate victories over the Parthians.
- **228 CE**: A [triumphal arch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/) is built at [Thugga](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dougga/) and dedicated to [Septimius Severus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Septimius_Severus/).
- **c. 298 CE**: Galerius builds a [triumphal arch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/) at [Thessalonica](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thessalonica/).
- **c. 315 CE**: Arch of [Constantine I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantine_I/) built in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) to commemorate victory over Maxentius in 312 CE.

## External Links

- [Rome Reborn](http://romereborn.frischerconsulting.com/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2013, December 31). Triumphal Arch: A Roman Exercise in Architectural Vanity. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal\_Arch/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/)
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Triumphal Arch: A Roman Exercise in Architectural Vanity." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 31, 2013. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal\_Arch/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/).
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Triumphal Arch: A Roman Exercise in Architectural Vanity." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Dec 2013, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal\_Arch/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Triumphal_Arch/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 31 December 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.