Arch of Constantine. Built in 315 by the Senate and the Roman people to celebrate the Emperor's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Ponte Milvio (312). Composed of three archways. it is the largest and best preserved arch in Rome. Parts of the frieze of bas-reliefs ornamenting it. which represent the peak of Roman art. were taken from earlier arches and monuments. In fact many of them represent deeds done by his predecessors: Trajan. Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. On the wall facing the Colosseum,  the reliefs at the top depict Marcus Aurelius in the war against the Dacians; on the opposite side. further episodes of the battles undertaken by Marcus Aurelius and Constantine.
Arch of Constantine Arch of Constantine Arch of Constantine
Arch of Septimius Severus Arch of Titus Arch of Titus

Arch of Septimius Severus. Erected in 203 A.D. to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Emperor's accession. With three barrel vaults, the arch is one of the largest erected in ancient Rome. Reliefs above the smaller arches depict epidsodes from the Emperor's victorious wars against the Parthians and the Arabs of Mesopotamia.

Arch of Titus. Built by the Romans in 81 A.D. to commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem by Vespasian and Titus. Bas-reliefs glorifying the Emperors' victories are still visible on the arch. Numerous scenes depict Roman soldiers carrying away sacred relics, among which the legendary seven branch candlestick. The bas-relief at the centre of the vault, the Apotheosis of Titus, shows him being borne away to heaven on a litter.

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