Ciao my fellow travelers ✨ As you explore the Roman Forum’s ancient heart, your eyes will inevitably be drawn to one of its most striking monuments: the Arch of Septimius Severus. Rising triumphantly at the northwest end of the Forum, this imposing triple-arched structure is more than just an architectural wonder, it’s a powerful reminder of Rome‘s military conquests and political ambition. Let’s dive into the story behind this magnificent arch and uncover what makes it a must-see on your Roman itinerary.
🏛️ A Family Affair and an Imperial Statement
Erected in 203 CE to honor Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta, the arch celebrates their victories in the Parthian Wars (modern-day Iran and Iraq). But it’s also steeped in political drama. After Septimius Severus died, Caracalla had his brother Geta assassinated and condemned to damnatio memoriae – his memory was officially erased. Geta’s name was literally chiseled out of the arch’s inscriptions. If you look closely today, you can still spot the erasure, living proof of how history is both made and rewritten. The arch isn’t just about conquest, it’s a portrait of power, legacy, and political tension within a dynasty.
🎨 What You’ll See Today
Though time has weathered its marble, the Arch of Septimius Severus is still richly adorned and remarkably well-preserved. Here’s what to look for:
- Three archways framed by massive columns and richly sculpted panels.
- Detailed reliefs showing scenes from the Parthian campaigns: siege warfare, captured cities, and prisoners in Roman chains. These carvings speak volumes about Roman propaganda.
- Latin inscriptions that stretch across the top, pay attention to the sections where Geta’s name was removed.
- The arch’s location, near the Curia (Senate House) and Rostra, reflects its political symbolism, it was placed where Rome’s elite gathered and laws were proclaimed.
Once crowning the monument was a gilded quadriga (four-horse chariot) flanked by statues of the imperial family, now lost to time. Though no longer visible, imagining its former glory adds a bittersweet layer to the experience.
📸 Why It Belongs on Your Itinerary
This isn’t just another photo op (though it’s a great one!):
- It captures the drama of history: dynastic ambition, murder, erasure, and power plays.
- You’ll walk under the same arch that Roman generals and senators passed by.
- It’s an ideal Forum orientation point, linking the Sacred Way to Capitoline Hill.
- From different angles, you can frame it against the Palatine Hill, Colosseum, or the Church of Santi Luca e Martina, blending ancient and baroque.
Take a quiet moment in the morning or near sunset to appreciate the texture and shadows, it’s pure Roman storytelling in stone.
📝 Practical Tips for Visiting
- Location: Roman Forum, at the northwest end near Capitoline Hill.
- Entry: Included with a ticket to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum.
- Best time to visit: Early morning or golden hour for the best light and fewer crowds.
- Photography tip: Try shooting from multiple angles to capture the interplay of shadows in the reliefs.
- Look closely: Bring binoculars or zoom in on photos to see the Latin inscriptions and signs of erasure.
Final Reflections
The Arch of Septimius Severus is more than a relic, it’s a statement. A celebration of military triumph, yes, but also a poignant reminder of how emperors shaped their legacies, both in stone and through the suppression of rivals.
Standing before it, you’re confronted with grandeur and contradiction, majestic reliefs of Roman power paired with visible scars of political betrayal. That duality gives the monument depth beyond its beauty. It’s one of the Forum’s oldest surviving arches, and yet, its messages – about legacy, propaganda, and impermanence – feel timeless. You don’t just see history here. You feel it. It’s one of those landmarks that lingers in your thoughts long after your visit.
xoxo,
Bubbly🏛️
