Misceli. Subj. CHI. 



THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH OF THE EMPE 



SEVERUS. 



Vol. FI. No. 52 



SEPTIMIUS 



The adjoined table exhibits again one of tho- 

 se remarkable monuments, which gratitude, 

 but not seldom also flattery of the ancient Ro- 

 mans, erected to their victorious Heroes, 

 namely a triumphal Arch, dedicated to the 

 Emperor Septimius Severus on account of his 

 victories over the Parthians , Arabians and 

 other nationsT It is pretty well preserv'd, and 

 still to be seen at Rome behind the Capitolium, 

 clean'd from the rubbish and surrounded with 

 a rampart. (1) 



Fig. I. represents the principal side with 

 its four beautiful columns and three vaulted 

 passages, which in the midst are join'd toge- 

 ther by two bows. Over the principal bow 

 appear two beautiful figures of the goddefs of 

 Fame. Over the smaller side- bows are the 



actions of the triumphant Emperor represent- 

 ed in bas-relief. In the Attica one reads both 

 upon the fore -and backside the dedicatory 

 inscription, in which the successor too of the 

 said Emperor is mention'd. The ingraved let- 

 ters were formerly inlay'd with gilt bronze, 

 which afterwards has been purloin'd. The 

 whole terminates with a Platform; one gets 

 up to in the inside upon a pair of stairs, and 

 where at that time thê^ triumphal cart of the 

 victor with soldiers at his side stood ingraved 

 in stone. 



Fig. II. exhibits one of the by-êides of 

 this triumphal arch, both of which, except 

 the columns and the cornice, are void of all 

 other ornaments. The whole stately building 

 is constructed with white marble. 



