Here we have some beautiful glimpses of the Arch of Septimius Severus at the Roman Forum in Rome, one of the three stupendous triumphal arches of the city. Together with the amazing and mysterious arch of Constantine and the partly reconstructed arch of Titus, even this wonder from the ancient Rome is much more than a simple monument. Here at the Roman Forum the Arch of Septimius Severus can be seen and appreciated for many reasons. Let's see them together.

Erected in the 3rd century a.D. to commemorate, glorify and celebrate the victorious wars fought by the emperor of Leptis Magna and his own person, the triumphal arch represents a perfect example of how the Roman celebratory art conveyed precise messages. The numerous and refined marble reliefs, which embellish the marble surface between the pillars (on both sides) represent codified war scenes: sieges, preparation of siege systems, construction of the camp, roads and fortifications, battle, defeated enemies, speech of the emperor (adlocutio). It is a real chronicle of the Parthian campaign, therefore fought by Rome against those infamous Parthians that had been giving the city so many headaches for centuries. Surely Septimus Severus became a real hero in Rome because he was able to make weaker the glorious Parhian Empire which, since many centuries, was creating many troubles to the ancient Romans.

Indeed, the reliefs, which develop on both sides on three superimposed registers, can really be "read" following a specific order, from the departure of the army to the victorious return. The Romans, always pragmatic men, fought their wars following very precise lines and rules, key points from which to start and then organize the war campaign based also on the enemy and the territory. In short, a real propaganda, accompanied by other symbols and iconographies easily understandable even to the simple Roman citizen, such as the figures of the defeated enemies, with the victorious legionaries at their side, carved on the plinths that support the columns. And like the winged Victories with clearly visible trophies on the archivolt of the central arch, or like the personifications of the four seasons placed at the foot of the Victories, to symbolize the almost eternity of the triumph of Septimius Severus, and of all Rome, against the Parties. In short, an incredible propaganda, in a marble version and placed on the western side of the Roman Forum. Impossible for an ordinary Roman citizens not to notice this extraordinary monument.