Transcript Arch of Constantine

Parts taken from the emperor
MARCUS AURELIUS
Yellow
• Attic is decorated with 8 rectangular
reliefs, between the Dacian captives
Commemorate
Marcus Aurelius
Victory in
Germany
& Eastern
Europe. 4 on
Each side.
On the north side is: Emperor entering Rome ( ), emperor leaving
the city, distrubiting money to the people (donatio) and
surrender of a barbarian chief. On the south side: another
Barbarian chief surrenders, prisoners are shown being lead to
the emperor, and the last two are Marcus Aurelius addressing
his troops (oratio), and doing a sacrifice with them.
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
Parts taken from the emperor
Hadrian
Blue
Hadrian:
Blue
• The roundels
2.36m diameter
4 on each Side.
North side:
(L-R):
a boar hunt, sacrifice to Apollo, Lion hunt, sacrifice to
Hercules.
South side: (L-R): hunting emperor, sacrifice to Silvanius
(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
Parts taken from the emperor
COnstantine
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
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 Soliders & Barbarian
captives
Why use sculpture from other
emperors?
• 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. This is one of
the reasons for the choice of the monuments
used.
• It linked Constantine with previous good
emperors and their qualities
• There was possible a decline in skilled sculptors
Stylistic features
• 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
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)
Hippo and arch!!!