ROCKY'S ITALY: Rome - The Arch of Constantine

Summary

In 312 AD, Roman Emperor Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, becoming the sole emperor of the West. To commemorate this victory, he built the Arch of Constantine, which combines his military achievement with the legacies of previous emperors like Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. Constantine used this monument to legitimize his rule by associating himself with these great figures. Just one year later, he would issue the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance across the Roman Empire, including for Christianity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Constantine became sole emperor of the West after defeating his colleague Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD.
• 😀 To commemorate his victory, Constantine commissioned the construction of the Arch of Constantine in Rome.
• 😀 Ancient Roman triumphal arches typically feature an inscription at the Attic level, identifying the emperor to whom the arch is dedicated.
• 😀 The inscription on the Arch of Constantine includes the abbreviation 'IMP' (Imperator), followed by 'CAES' (Caesar) and 'CONSTANTINO MAXIMO' (Constantine the Great).
• 😀 The Arch of Constantine was built not only to celebrate Constantine's victory but also to legitimize his rule, aligning himself with past great emperors like Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius.
• 😀 Many of the relief sculptures on the Arch of Constantine predate its construction and were originally commissioned by earlier emperors.
• 😀 Constantine’s use of older sculptures was a strategic move to appropriate the legacies of past emperors and bolster his own legitimacy.
• 😀 One year after his victory, Constantine ratified the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which legalized Christianity within the Roman Empire.
• 😀 The Edict of Milan marked a significant turning point, as Christianity, a religion previously persecuted, rapidly gained followers in the empire.
• 😀 The Arch of Constantine symbolizes the transition from a pagan empire to one where Christianity would soon become the dominant religion.
• 😀 The video encourages viewers to like and subscribe to the YouTube channel 'Rocky Italy' for more historical content filmed in Italy.

Q & A

What event led to Constantine becoming the sole emperor of the Western Roman Empire?

Constantine became the sole emperor of the Western Roman Empire after his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, where he defeated his co-emperor Maxentius.

What was the purpose of the Arch of Constantine?

The Arch of Constantine was constructed by Constantine to commemorate his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and to legitimize his rule as the emperor of the West.

How can one identify the emperor to whom a Roman triumphal arch is dedicated?

The emperor to whom a Roman triumphal arch is dedicated can be identified by reading the inscription on the Attic level, which typically includes the abbreviation 'IMP' for Imperator, followed by 'CAES' for Caesar, and the emperor's name.

Why did Constantine incorporate older relief sculptures into his Arch?

Constantine incorporated older relief sculptures from previous emperors like Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius to align himself with their legacy, thus enhancing his legitimacy as ruler and strengthening his political image.

Which emperors' works were used in the Arch of Constantine?

The Arch of Constantine features relief sculptures originally commissioned by emperors such as Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius.

What significant event occurred one year after Constantine's victory at the Milvian Bridge?

One year after his victory at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine ratified the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, allowing Christianity to be practiced openly.

How did the Arch of Constantine reflect Constantine's efforts to consolidate power?

The Arch of Constantine reflected Constantine's efforts to consolidate power by using symbols and imagery from previous emperors to establish his legitimacy and demonstrate his connection to Rome's imperial past.

What role did the Edict of Milan play in the history of Christianity?

The Edict of Milan, issued in 313 AD, allowed Christianity to be practiced openly in the Roman Empire, marking a turning point in the religious landscape and paving the way for Christianity’s growth and eventual dominance.

What does the inscription on the Arch of Constantine signify?

The inscription on the Arch of Constantine indicates that the arch was dedicated to Constantine, with titles such as 'IMP' (Imperator) and 'CAES' (Caesar), asserting his role as the emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

Why is the Arch of Constantine considered a symbol of both military victory and religious change?

The Arch of Constantine symbolizes both military victory, as it commemorates Constantine’s success at the Milvian Bridge, and religious change, as it was erected during the same period when Constantine ratified the Edict of Milan, granting tolerance to Christianity.