The Arch of Septimus Severus; Rome, Italy

 The Arch of Septimius Severus, erected in 203 CE, stands in Rome and commemorates the Roman victories over the Parthians in the final decade of the 2^nd century CE. It was one of the most richly decorated and even today, although badly damaged, it stands as a lasting and imposing monument to Roman vanity.

It stands on the Via Sacra in the forum Romanum of Rome and has three arches. The larger central archway was used for traffic, while the other two were closed off by steps. In terms of construction materials, the core and foundation are of travertine whilst, the whole is faced with Proconnesian marble. The eight composite columns are of the same marble type.

It was possible to climb the arch via an inner staircase although the entrance was 5m above ground level for security. There was a walkway above the second cornice and access to the roof through the hollow attic.

The inscription on the attic, originally with gilded bronze lettering, is a dedication to Septimius Severus and his two sons. Caracalla and Geta who “restored the Republican and expanded the dominium of the Roman people”. Interestingly, the inscription was changed following Greta’s murder by his brother Caracalla, perhaps due to a guilty conscience with the addition of P. Septimo L. fil. Getae.

The arch was richly decorated with sculpture which depicted scenes from the military campaigns in Parthia .the seasons, various duties and victories. Above the central arch on both facades are winged victories that each carries trophies. The arch has the typical central keystone of this genre of architecture monument which represents Mars, the Roman god of war. The smaller arches also have keystones which are carved to represent Bacchus and Hercules. The lower arches also carry figures. This time river gods. Above each of the small arches is a freeze which depicts a triumphal procession where booty and prisoners were showed off. The column plinths each have relief scripture showing roman soldiers captured Parthians. The most impressive sculpture is found on four huge panels which show scenes from the military campaigns in Parthia. The left panel shows the army leaving their camp .a battle, Septimius speaking before his troops and the liberation of Nisibis. The right panel shows siege machines attacking the city of Edessa, a group of Parthians surrendering to Septimius Severus. A war council and the launch of a new campaign. On the Capitoline side the left panel depicts the city of Seleucia under attack, its eventual fall and defeated Parthians.

On top of the structure there would have once been a six horse chariot in gilded bronze on which rode a statue of Septimius. The emperor was also originally flanked by his two sons on horsebacks. Trophies and garlands in bronze had also once adorned the plain structures around the inscription on the façades.

The monument suffered in later times when it was converted to o fortress, towers were added and the structure was incorporated into surrounding buildings. The smaller archways were used until 19^th century CE. Several deep cracks in the marble and breaking off of pieces of sculpture can be attributed to workmen not paying attention to the natural bedding. Sculptures have also suffered due to weathering and environmental pollution.

References

Amanda Claridge, Rome (oxford University Press .USA, 2010)

Roman Art and Architecture (Thames &Hudson)

A handbook of Roman Art (Cornell Univ Pr, 1983)