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Dec 11, 2021 β€’ 8 tweets β€’ 5 min read β€’ Read on X
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Arch of Constantine πŸ›οΈ

(1/7) Situated in Rome between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, this imposing triumphal arch spans the Via Triumphalis, a road taken by victorious Roman generals celebrating a triumph.

#Classics #Rome #Archaeology #History
(2/7) Built between 312 - 315 CE, this monument commemorated Constantine's victory over his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. Commissioned by the senate, it was unveiled on 25th July 315 to much celebration and prayer.
(3/7) Stylistically, the arch is a clear example of the downfall of Classical Greek art forms in the Roman period, and a sign of the city's decline. Re-using reliefs of Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius alongside those of Constantine, it presented a mixed artistic message.
(4/7) As a result, the arch has been the subject of controversy, with some scholars suggesting it was built by Hadrian and later reworked during Constantine's reign to save expense and effort. Another theory suggests it dates to as early as the reign of Domitian! (r. 81 - 96 CE).
(5/7) Despite offering a somewhat controversial message about imperial disinterest in the city of Rome, the arch remained one of the most impressive civic monuments in its urban landscape. Overall, the monument sought to depict Constantine as a liberator of Rome, not an occupier.
(6/7) Given its association with the Christian Emperor Constantine, the arch was spared the destruction experienced by earlier and contemporary buildings and monuments conducted by the early Church. During the Middle Ages, it was incorporated into a local fortification.
(7/7) In the 18th century, however, it underwent a limited restoration. This process continued throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, with excavations and repairs last conducted in the late 1990's in anticipation of the Catholic Church's "Great Jubilee" in 2000.
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More from @Symmach_

Dec 4, 2021
#RomanSiteSaturday The Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker πŸ›οΈπŸ’€πŸž

(1/7) The witty and entertaining tomb of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces is one of the best-preserved freedmen funerary monuments in #Rome and sits in a prominent position at the Porta Maggiore.

#Classics #Roman #Archaeology
(2/7) Built c. 30 - 20 BCE, this extravagant site reflects both Eurysaces' wealth and sense of humour. A freedman who must have made a fortune from a chain of bakeries supplying bread for public rations, he seems to have been immensely proud of his position and riches.
(3/7) Indeed, his tomb is an architectural pun. Made of tufa and white marble, it takes the form of bakery equipment. The three rows of medallions at the top are dough-kneading bins on their sides, and the lower 'columns' are upright dough-bins stacked on top of one another.
Read 8 tweets
Nov 27, 2021
#RomanSiteSaturday - Pyramid of Cestius πŸ›οΈ

(1/9) Located in #Rome, the Pyramid of Cestius is one of the best preserved classical buildings in the city. Moreover, as an imitation of an #Egyptian pyramid, it is also one of the most unique.

#Classics #Roman #Archaeology #History
(2/9) Built between 18 - 12 BCE, the pyramid was constructed as a tomb for Gaius Cestius. Cestius had served as a praetor, tribune of the plebs, and was a member of the Septemviri Epulorum, one of the four great religious corporations of the city.
(3/9) Stylistically, it appears to imitate the pointed pyramids of Nubia, particularly in the ancient Kingdom of MeroΓ«. In 23 BCE, Rome attacked this kingdom, leading scholars to postulate that Cestius may have served in this campaign and been inspired by Nubian architecture.
Read 10 tweets
Nov 22, 2021
A little late for #AncientSiteSunday, but here is a thread on the incredible Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion! πŸ›οΈ

(1/5) Located at Cape Sounion on the Attic peninsula, this ancient Greek temple holds a commanding view of the Aegean sea.

#Classics #Greece #Archaeology #Athens
(2/5) Originally, an Archaic-period temple sat on the site. Made of tufa, it was destroyed c. 480 BCE during the #Persian invasion of Greece. Despite being destroyed, the Athenians placed a captured Persian trireme on its ruins following the allied Greek victory in 479.
(3/5) The surviving temple was constructed between 444 - 440 BCE, and serves as one of the major monuments of the Athenian golden age.

Later described by Strabo as a "noteworthy settlement", it remained a significant cult centre into the #Roman imperial period.
Read 7 tweets
Nov 13, 2021
#RomanSiteSaturday - Fishbourne Roman PalaceπŸ›οΈ

(1/8) Located in Chichester, #England, Fishbourne Roman Palace (@romanpalace) is an incredible example of Roman residential architecture and is thus far the largest building known from #RomanBritain.

#Classics #Roman #History
(2/8) Fishbourne Palace has very early origins compared to the many sites of Roman Britain. Occupation of the site appears to have started in 43 CE, the year of the Roman invasion. Initially, Fishbourne acted as a supply depot for the Roman army.
(3/8) By the 60's CE, the site had developed into a stone-walled villa, which featured a colonnaded courtyard garden and bathhouse. Based on excavations, it appears Italian craftsmen were employed to decorate Fishbourne with wall paintings and stucco mouldings.
Read 9 tweets
Nov 6, 2021
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Temple of Augustus πŸ›οΈ

(1/6) The stunning Temple of Augustus is situated in the city of Pula in #Croatia, and stands as one of the best preserved Greco-Roman temples outside of Italy.

#Classics #ClassicsTwitter #Roman #History #Archaeology
(2/6) Built between 27 BCE - 14 CE, it was dedicated to the Emperor Augustus during his lifetime. Part of a collection of three temples, the Temple of Augustus sat to the left of two now destroyed temples, one of which was dedicated to the goddess Diana.
(3/6) The dedicatory inscription, originally in bronze lettering, read:

ROMAE Β· ET Β· AVGVSTO Β· CAESARI Β· DIVI Β· F Β· PATRI Β· PATRIAE

"In honour of Rome and Augustus Caesar, son of the deified [Julius], father of his country."
Read 7 tweets
Oct 30, 2021
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Theatre of Marcellus πŸ›οΈπŸŽ­

(1/6) Known to the Romans as the Theatrum Marcelli, this stunning ancient open-air theatre sits in the heart of Rome and once had a capacity of up to 20,000 spectators!

#Classics #Rome #Archaeology #Roman #History
(2/6) Construction began in the closing years of the Roman Republic. Julius Caesar ordered space to be cleared for it, but was murdered before its completion. By 17 BCE, construction was advanced enough that it could host the secular games, and by 13 BCE it was finished.
(3/6) The theatre was dedicated to Marcus Claudius Marcellus, the nephew and presumptive heir of the emperor Augustus. Marcellus died in 23 BCE aged 19, leaving the emperor devastated and almost shattering the illusion of a restored republic.
Read 8 tweets

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