Plate 71. The Triumphal Arch of Constantine

This arch consists of a principal central passage and two smaller ones on each side. Between these passages, and on either side of the smaller ones, are free standing columns on pedestals. Breaking out over these columns is an entablature, above which stand statues, and behind them arises an attic which, however, is not now crowned with a bronze quadriga.

In the erection of this arch, which occurred in the fourth century, A. D., the parts from one of the Trajan Arches were in a large measure used, and the arrangement of the latter was presumably retained also. The Arch of Constantine is indebted to this circumstance for its fine proportions. The details, however, are of very different values. The column shafts are fluted similar to those in the interior of the Pantheon (Plate 65). The capital is excellent, but cuts into the architrave in a very awkward manner. The latter is plain in comparison with the cornice. The cymatium of the modillions, as also that of the frieze, is extremely large, and the corona is thin, especially, as it is without a cyma. The omission of the latter, however, logically is not faulty, as there is no actual constructive motive for it, there being no roof but an attic above, a similar condition as occurs on the monument of Thrasyllus (Plate 17). But as a crowning to the entablature, a cyma seems necessary.

The impost cornice of the large arch is good (see Plate 86), but the heavy bead thereunder does not seem to have been on the original cornice. The impost cornice of one of the small arches (shown on Plate 86) is profiled without much feeling, and gives a further illustration of the decline of the art in the time of Constantine.