Starry Night Over Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy

The Arch of Constantine sits between the Colosseum and Palatine Hill in Rome. It is a triumphal arch dedicated to the emperor Constantine to... more

by Liesl Walsh

Title

Starry Night Over Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy

Artist

Liesl Walsh

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

The Arch of Constantine sits between the Colosseum and Palatine Hill in Rome. It is a triumphal arch dedicated to the emperor Constantine to commemorate his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. The arch spans across the Via Triumphalis, the road victorius emperors would enter the city in a triumphal procession. The arch was dedicated in 315 and is the largest triumphal Roman arch. It is 69 feet high, 85 feet wide, and 24 feet deep.

The arch is decorated with incredibly detailed sculptural reliefs, round reliefs, and a horizontal frieze. They depict historic scenes of Constantine's victory. An inscription at the very top of the arch used to be in bronze letters, but you can still read the remaining recessed letters. It says, "To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the greatest, pious, and blessed Augustus: because he, inspired by the divine, and by the greatness of his mind, has delivered the state from the tyrant and all of his followers at the same time, with his army and just force of arms, the Senate and People of Rome have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs."

The Colosseum next to the arch was built 235 years earlier in 80 AD. Seeing it in person was incredible! It is huge! It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, and the largest one still standing in the world. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions.

Because the colosseum is so popular and busy with tourists I woke up very early in the morning and got here in the dark before sunrise to take photos. There were two other photographers already there at the same spot, but we patiently worked around each other so we could all get the angles we wanted. This image is available in both color and black and white. I also have a horizontal version of this image.

Uploaded

May 2nd, 2023