Triumphal Arch of Orange

Triumphal Arch of Orange – The oldest surviving triple-arched Roman triumphal arch , France

The oldest surviving triple-arched Roman triumphal arch is the Arch of Orange. Originally constructed between 10 and 27 AD, during the reign of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, the arch commemorated the Gallic Wars. The arch was dedicated to Tiberius in 27 AD, in commemoration of his victories.

A triumphal arch is an ancient Roman architectural structure consisting of two columns, connected from above by an archway. Arches were placed over roads or walkways. The Arch of Orange is situated along vie Agrippa, and once made up part of the city’s defensive walls during the Middle Ages. Arches were constructed to commemorate important events including military achievements, like conquering a new city. A Roman triumph was a public ceremony or religious rite, granted by the Senate, celebrating military achievements, especially to applaud the military commander.

The Triumphal Arch of Orange features three arches – a larger center arch with a narrower and shorter arch on either side of the main arch. This atypical style was later used in Rome’s Arch of Constantine and Arch of Septimus Severus. The facades of the Arch of Orange are decorated with Corinthian columns, and embellished with reliefs depicting scenes of battle. Military themes portrayed include a Roman battle against the Germanics and Gauls, and a shield of Leggio II (the Second Legion) Augusta is also represented. The northern facade once held a bronze inscription, but this was lost at some point in history and historians have yet to decipher what it once said. Restoration work was taken on the arch in the 1850s.