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Arch of Septimius Severus

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The Arch of Septimius Severus
Creative Commons Attribution license - On the same terms 3.0.

A triumphal arch that is a monument to the glory of Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Gets. It was erected in 203 CE. to commemorate Severus’ victories over the Partami in two wars: in 195 and 203 CE. The 25-meter-high, 23-meter-wide, 11-meter-thick structure stands at the northeast end of the Forum Romanum.

It is a structure made of white marble. The arch is three-pass, flanked at each passage with columns in the Corinthian order situated on high plinths. Above the side passages and on the pedestals there are reliefs with scenes from the emperor’s expeditions and mythological scenes with images of deities.

Arch of Septimius Severus in the panorama
Creative Commons Attribution license - On the same terms 3.0.

Above the largest passage, the middle one, there are two goddesses of victory, Wiktoria, under which the personifications of the seasons are located. Above the cornices based on columns, there is an attic with a bronze statue of the emperor in the quadriga and statues of soldiers. Unfortunately, however, the statues did not survive to our times.

Bas-relief on the pedestal and detail above the passage of the gate.

After the murder of his brother, Geta in 212 CE. Caracalla ordered the brother’s name to be removed from the bow.

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