AD 312-315 Paul Artus p.104 Workbook p. 92 Arch of Constantine

But first...a list of Emperors Trajanic Dynasty Nerva AD96-98 Trajan AD98-117 Hadrian AD117-138 Antonine Dynasty Antoninus Pius AD138-161 Marcus Aurelius AD161- 180 Lucis Verus AD161-169 Commodus AD177-192 Severan dynasty (11 emperors) Emperors during the height of crisis AD 235-268 Philip the Arabian Many others (constant change) Constantine AD 337-307 Julio-Claudian dynasty Augustus 27BC- AD14 Tiberius AD14 - 37 Caligula AD37 – 41 Claudius AD 41- 54 Nero AD54- 68 Year of 4 emperors (AD 68 –AD69) Galba Otho Vitellius Flavian Dynasty Vespasian AD69-79 Titus AD79-81 Domitian AD 81-96

Hippo and arch!

Usurper – person who tries to steal your job (as emperor) without authority to Decursio – emperor riding into battle Adventus Augusti – triumphal return of Emperor into Rome Oratio – The Emperor speaking to the Roman people Donatio – the gift of money, given to the people from the Emperor’s own purse Vocab list for The Arch Of Constantine add to the bottom, of p.93 in your workbook

Work books p. 92, Paul Artus p. 103 Location: West side of the Colosseum, in Rome Architectural type: arch Dates of Construction: AD 312-315 Purpose: celebrate Constantine’s victory over the usurper Maxentius Inscription: The centre of the attic on the north and south sides is a long inscription that proclaims that the Arch was dedicated to Constantine by the Senate and people of Rome on the occasion of his victory over a ‘usurper/tyrant’ (referring to Constantine defeating the Emperor Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian bridge, Italy in AD312) Dimensions: Height 21m, width 25.7m, depth 7.4m Central archway – height 11.5m, width 6.5m Side archways – height 7.4 m, width 3.36m

Inscription

What type of columns Are on the arch of Constantine? This here is a pilaster – a flat Square column that is carved into the wall

What type of capitals are these columns? This here is a pilaster – a flat Square column that is carved into the wall

Are the columns engaged Or free standing?

Glue the handout to your workbook p Glue the handout to your workbook p.91, annotate the sculptural features of this building Projecting plinths (with men ‘Dacians’ on them) Inscription on attic Corinthian capitals with Fluted columns entablature Each column has a pilaster behind it. Columns are freestanding roundels The spandrels of the main arch begin at the height of the small arches 2 small vaulted arches flank central archway Bases of columns are engaged Projecting Pedestal

This arch has relief on it that were taken from buildings made for previous great emperors – Marcus Aurelius, Hadrian & Trajan. The reliefs show these different Emperors doing great things. Why would Constantine want to have relief taken from other great emperors on his arch? What does doing this, tell us about about Constantine? Why would he not have chosen to put reliefs from Commodus on his arch?

Arch of Constantine, p.92 workbook Was there a purpose behind this piece? Constantine’s arch made as a dedication to Emperor Constantine after his victory over the tyrant / usurper, Maxentius in 312AD Write on page 93: Taking reliefs from earlier monuments shows an element of nostalgia for Rome’s ‘golden age’of prosperity, wealth, success, military victories and when the Empire was at its height. It linked Constantine with previous good emperors and their qualities (Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius). This is a piece of Imperial Propaganda, as each piece which is sourced from a different monument still carries the same message – the emperor’s virtue, his military power and his support of the traditional values loved by Romans. (all ideas from past imperial propaganda, still relevant for Constantine) There was possible a decline in skilled sculptors

Trajan Parts taken from the emperor Trajan: Brown

Are these people Roman? Why/Why not?

Stone figures on the projecting plinth along the attic are Dacian captives. They are Foreign (barbarian)- long trousers, shaggy beard, felt caps. These were taken from TRAJAN’s forum. (AD107-113.) There are 8 Statues. Hands and heads Have been Restored. Links back to Success over Foreign enemies. & says Constantine Is a great general Like Trajan

Find notes about the relief taken from Trajan’s Period in Paul Artus and write it onto the page ‘decursio’ (emperor riding into battle) at the head of the army while the Enemy fall beneath His horses hooves. ‘Adventus Augusti’ The triumphal Emperor returning to Rome. – Trajan stands, About to be crowned with laurel wreath by the goddess of victory Head of these has been re-carved to resemble the head of Constantine!

Trajan friezes Are highlighted

MARCUS AURELIUS Parts taken from the emperor Yellow

Find the information about Marcus Aurelius’ reliefs in Paul Artus Find the information about Marcus Aurelius’ reliefs in Paul Artus. The heads are 18th cent restorations. These reliefs (of him Accepting the surrender Of German prisoners) all show Marcus Aurelius’ virtue of Clementia – forbearance and moderation

Commemorate Marcus Aurelius Victory in Germany & Eastern Europe. 4 on Attic is decorated with 8 rectangular reliefs, between the Dacian captives Commemorate Marcus Aurelius Victory in Germany & Eastern Europe. 4 on Each side.

Hadrian Parts taken from the emperor Trajan: Brown

Hadrian: Blue The roundels 2.36m diameter 4 on each Side. North side:(Left to Right): a boar hunt, sacrifice to Apollo, Lion hunt, sacrifice to Hercules. South side: (Left to Right): hunting emperor, sacrifice to Silvanus (Italian nature god), bear hunt, sacrifice to Diana These commemorate the Emperor’s love of hunting & his devotion to the gods. Hunting also represents the quality of virtus – courage, determination, manliness & piety in his sacrifice

Bear hunt Sacrifice to Diana

Sacrifice to Apollo Boar hunt

Hunting party setting out Sacrifice to Silvanus

Sacrifice to Hercules Lion hunt

COnstantine Parts taken from the emperor Green

Relief from Constantine period is highlighted

Reliefs from constantine’s era Inscriptions over the roundels commemorate the 10th anniversary of Constantine’s rule in 315AD (this is where the dates for the arch come from)

The long narrow frieze below the roundels shows episodes in Constantine’s life West = Constantine’s army leaving Milan South = Seige of Verona = Battle at Milvian bridge where Maxentius (the usurper) died East = Constantine enters Rome in triumph North = Constantine addresses the people in Roman Forum (Oratio) =Constantine distributes money to them (Donatio) showing his generosity

On the east and west sides of the arch (the short sides) are two roundels. West – Moon (Luna) setting East – sun (Sol) rising in a chariot …Both carved in high relief

Also from constantine Winged figures of victory in spandrels of central arch Personifications of the 4 seasons beneath figures of victory River gods in spandrels of side arches Pedestals of column bases decorated with Victory, Roman Soldiers & Barbarian captives

Constantine Relief donatio Emperor sitting on a raised platform to emphasis his importance & surrounded by ministers and Advisers, (all dressed in toga contablulata) A lot of movement in their heads. Oratio: Statues Of Marcus Aurelius & Hadrian feature In this relief as background. (Representing Virtue and piety, as these emperors both Had strong reputations for having these qualities) donatio

Stylistic features – p.93 of workbook On panels of Trajan there is use of perspective, front figures carved in high relief, and back in low Marcus Aurelius reliefs are very static, formal composition & less figures. This is because they have a symbolic function representing ideas & virtues. Marcus Aurelius is positioned higher so it draws attention to him Hadrian’s roundels are very simple – only a few characters & depth achieved with high & low relief Constantine’s panels do not have the same attention to detail or modelling. The decoration is very flat & shallow

F a c t s – p.93 workbook The arch is the same size and shape of the arch of Septimius Severus It is the last triumphal arch built in Rome Constantine rejected traditional Roman religion in favour of Christianity (he died a baptised christian) Built while Constantine was still alive (different to arch of Titus) It is also different to the Arch of Titus in that it has 3 arches and is more elaborate and detailed. Constantine ruled as emperor for ten years, this was impressive as most did not last very long The monument is ‘architecturally harmonious’ (balanced)

Hippo and arch!!!