How was the Arch of Constantine decorated?
The Arch of Constantine was decorated with sculptural reliefs celebrating the victorious emperor. The inscription above the main archway celebrates Constantine’s victory over Maxentius, as do the sculptural reliefs that adorn both sides of the arch. These scenes include battle scenes as well as Constantine’s triumphal entrance into the city of Rome. The roundels were looted from previous emperor’s monuments, linking Constantine to Rome’s illustrious past. • What is the relationship between conflict in Ancient Rome and the production of art and architecture? The conflicts of ancient Rome often reflected power struggles within the Roman Empire. Consequently, there was a need to glorify the emperor in his quest for and ability to control an expanding empire. One of the ways this was accomplished was to undertake significant construction campaigns glorifying the city of Rome and its Emperor. Thus the Roman triumphal arch and its decoration functioned as an important form of political propa
