Arch of Constantine: Constantinian Reliefs (Rome, Italy): East medallion (Constantinian era), depicting the sun

Creator:

unknown (Ancient Roman)

Published/Created:

Rome, Lazio, Italy
312-321

Date Depicted:

2003
8000 BC - 499 AD

Materials:

marble

Notes:

The main sculpture from the time of Constantine (as opposed to spolia, re-used elements) is the "historical" relief frieze running around the monument under the round panels, one strip above each lateral archway and at the small sides of the arch. These reliefs depict scenes from the Italian campaign of Constantine against Maxentius which was the reason for the construction of the monument. The frieze starts at the western side with the "Departure from Milan". It continues on the southern, "outward" looking face, with the siege of Verona, which was of great importance to the war in Northern Italy; also on that face, the Battle of Milvian Bridge with Constantine's army victorious and the enemy drowning in the river Tiber. On the eastern side, Constantine and his army enter Rome; the artist seems to have avoided using imagery of the triumph, as Constantine probably did not want to be shown triumphant over the Eternal City. On the northern face, looking "towards" the city, two strips with the emperor's actions after taking possession of Rome: Constantine speaking to the citizens on the Forum Romanum, and distributing money to the people.

Topics:

Architecture -- Roman -- (YVRC)
Sculpture -- Roman -- Constantinian -- (YVRC)
Sculpture -- Roman -- Hadrianic -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Constantinian

Culture:

Roman

Accession Number:

1A3-R-R-AC-6-B4

Genre:

monuments: memorial arches: triumphal arches (AAT)
sculpture (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

architecture; military or war; rulers and leaders; Constantine, Emperor of Rome Imperial (Roman) visual works; sculpture (visual work); reliefs (sculptures) The image on the east face depicts Sol in his quadriga, a four-horse chariot.

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Addition Module Five

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
1997

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4090

OID:

10056595

PID:

digcoll:1813309