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The Arch of Septimius Severus is a monumental triumphal arch located in the Roman Forum. It sits at the foot of the Capitoline Hill along the Via Sacra, the route taken by victorious generals during triumphal processions. The arch was built in 203 CE to honor Emperor Septimius Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, for their military victories over the Parthian Empire. These campaigns, fought between 194-195 CE and 197-199 CE, resulted in the annexation of parts of northern Mesopotamia into the Roman Empire.
The arch has three passageways, with the central and largest arch serving as a road through the structure. The exterior is covered in Proconnesian marble, though much of the base and interior were built using travertine. Eight free-standing columns with composite capitals decorate the façade, along with carved reliefs that celebrate the emperor’s military achievement and divine favor.
These reliefs depict scenes from the Parthian campaigns, including soldiers in battle, spoils of war, and prisoners being captured. Winged victories hold trophies, and mythological figures such as Mars, Hercules, and Bacchus appear as well. The arch was originally topped with gilded statues, now lost. Based on ancient coins, these statues likely showed Septimius Severus in a six-horse chariot, flanked by his sons and attendants.
After Septimius Severus died in 211 CE, his sons Caracalla and Geta briefly ruled as co-emperors. However, in 212 CE, Caracalla had Geta murdered and launched a campaign to erase his memory from public life (damnatio memoriae). As a result, Geta’s name and images were removed from monuments throughout the empire, including the Arch of Septimius Severus.
The arch also contains a hidden staircase built into its left pier, which leads to a concrete chamber in the upper section of the arch. From there, it is possible to access the cornices and the roof. In the Middle Ages, this feature led to the arch being used as a watchtower and fortress. Evidence of medieval occupation remains visible, including inscriptions left by craftsmen and stonemasons who once lived or worked there.
Despite centuries of change, the Arch of Septimius Severus remains one of the most impressive and best-preserved monuments in the Roman Forum, offering insights into Rome’s imperial power, military achievements, and political struggles.
Bibliography:
- Barnes, T. D. (1967). “The Family and Career of Septimius Severus.” Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte, 16(1), 87–107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4434969
- Brilliant, Richard. (1967). “The Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum.” Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome, 29, 5–271. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4238659
- Claridge, Amanda. (1998). “Rome.” Oxford University Press.
- Grout, James. “The Arch of Septimius Severus.” University of Chicago. https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/romanforum/archseverus.html
- Platner, Samuel. (1929). “Arcus Septimii Severi.” In A Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome (p.43-44). Retrieved from: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/_Texts/PLATOP*/Arcus_Septimii_Severi.html
Arcus Septimii Severi: The arch erected in 203 A.D. in honour of Severus and his sons Geta and Caracalla, at the northwest corner of the forum, in front of the temple of Concord. This information is contained in the dedicatory inscription (CIL VI.1033; cf. 31230) on both sides of the attic of the arch, which is still standing.
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The original bronze letters of this inscription have disappeared, but their matrices remain, and it can be seen that the name of Geta was chiselled away after his murder, and the space filled up with additional titles of Severus and Caracalla. The arch is triple and built of Pentelic marble on a foundation of travertine, which was concealed by a flight of steps that formed the approach to the arch from the forum side. Later, probably in the fourth century, the level in front of the arch on this side was lowered, the flight of steps lengthened, and the top of the foundation cut away to provide for them (CR 1899, 233; Mitt. 1902, 21‑22).a The exposed corners of the foundation were then faced with marble. The arch was never traversed by a road until mediaeval times.
The arch is 23 metres high, 25 wide and 11.85 deep, the central archway being 12 metres high and 7 wide, and the side archways 7.80 high and 3 wide. Between the central and side arches are vaulted passages with coffered ceilings. On each face of the arch are four fluted columns with Composite capitals, 8.78 metres high and 0.90 metre in diameter at the base. These columns stand free from the arch on projecting pedestals, and behind them are corresponding pilasters. An entablature surrounds the arch, and above it is the lofty attic, 5.60 metres in height, within which are four chambers.
Over the side arches are narrow bands of reliefs representing the triumphs of Rome over conquered peoples, and above them four large reliefs which represent the campaigns of Severus in the East (Reinach, Rép. d. Reliefs I.258‑270; Strong, Sculpture 297‑300; SScR 303‑305). In the spandrels of the central arch are winged Victories, and in those of the side arches, river gods. On the keystones of the central arch are reliefs of Mars Victor, and on the pedestals of the columns, Roman soldiers driving captives before them. Coins of Severus (Cohen, Sev. 53, 104) and Caracalla (ib. Car. 14, 15) show that on the top of the arch was a six- or eight-horse chariot, in which stood Severus p44 and Victory, escorted by Geta and Caracalla, and on the ends four equestrian figures; but of these statues no traces have been found.
The excellent preservation of this monument is due in part to the fact that in the Middle Ages its southern half belonged to the neighbouring church of SS. Sergio e Bacco, and its northern half was fortified (HC 86). The erection of this arch destroyed the symmetry of this end of the forum.
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Cite this page as: Elaine Deer, The American Institute for Roman Culture, “Arcus Septimius Severus (Arch of Septimius Severus)” Ancient Rome Live. Last modified 07/26/2025. https://ancientromelive.org/arcus-septimius-severus-arch-of-septimius-severus/
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