Colloquium--The Making of Victory: Triumphal Arches and Their Representation in Roman Art.

Arches are among the most widespread monuments of the Roman empire. This talk will present and discuss their main features: their links to accomplishments—military and otherwise—honors, and power. It will especially focus on their dynamic nature, which is most apparent in the arches’ relationship with the triumphal procession. By examining literary and visual depictions of triumphs, the talk will argue that Roman arches are best understood as part of a broader network of monuments, images, and practices, which aimed to capture and eternalize the successful impetus that led to victory. Rather than a simple celebration of past deeds, arches thus emerge as key components of a project that was perpetually in the making.