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Triumphal Arch of Constantino (PI. II, 22), the best-preserved structure of the kind in Rome, erected after the victory over Maxentius at Saxa Rubra, near the Ponte Molle (p. 383), in 312, where Constantine declared himself in favour of Christianity. The inscription runs thus: Imp. Cues. Fl. Constantino Maximo pio felici Augusto Senatus Populusque Romanui, quod instinctu divinitatis mentis magnitudine cum exercitu mo tarn de tyranno quam de omni ejus factions uno tempore justis rem publicam ultus eat armis arcum Mumphis insignem dicavit.
The arch, which was converted into a castle in the 10th cent., and afterwards belonged to the Frangipani, was laid bare in 1804. It has three passages. The great er part of the ornamentation and the admirable SCULPTURES were brought from a building of Trajan (not, however, as usually supposed, his triumphal arch which stood at the entrance to Trajan's Forum, contrasting strongly with the rude additions of the time of Constantine.
From the period of Trajan: above, Statues of Captive Dacians in pavonazzetto; seven of these are ancient, but the eighth, and the beads and hands of the others, are modern (fragment, see p. 245). The large Reliefs now inserted to the right and left of the main passage and on the ends of the attica, originally belonged to a continuous frieze, at least 50ft. long, which was ruthlessly taken to pieces under Constantine. The original order of these is as follows: 1 (to the left of the main passage). Trajan's triumphal entry into Rome; Praetorians fighting with Daciai.s; 2 (left end of attica). Continuation of the battle; a (to the right in the passage). Prisoners beseeching the emperor for mercy; 4 (right end of attica). Conquered Dacians, with their huts in the background. To the same period also belong the eight Medallions of hunting and sacrificial
scenes, which have been placed with the same disregard to their connection: Start for the hunt (W. side to the left) and Sacrifice to Apollo (E. side, to the left); Boar-hunt (E. side, to the left) and Sacrifice to Diana (W. side, to the right); Bear-hunt (W. side, to the right) and Sacrifice to Silvanus (W. side, to the left); Lion-hunt (E. side, to the right) and Sacrifice to Hercules (E. side, to the right). — The eight Beliefs on the sides of the attica, beside the inscription, have been quite erroneously ascribed to the age of Trajan; the heads of the emperor in these were arbitrarily restored with the features of Trajan in the 17th cent., at which period the most characteristic details were also added. These scenes (sacrifice, harangues before the people and the soldiers, triumphal entry, etc.) probably refer to Marcus Aurelius and belong to the same series as the reliefs in the palace of the Conservatory mentioned on p. 239.
From the period of Constantine are the Smaller Reliefs inserted below Hie medallions, representing the achievements of Constantine in war and peace, and the Statues of Victories and Captives on the pedestals of the columns.