ancientart:The Roman Arch of Galerius, in the city of Thessaloniki, in the region of Central Macedon
ancientart:The Roman Arch of Galerius, in the city of Thessaloniki, in the region of Central Macedonia in northern Greece. Less than half of this arch remains preserved today.Commissioned by 4th century Roman Emperor Galerius, the arch was built 298-299 AD, and dedicated in 303 AD. It was built to commemorate the victory of the tetrarch Galerius over the Sassanid Persians and capture of their capital Ctesiphon in 298.One relief (shown on the lower section of photo 2, here’s a close up) shows the imperial family making a sacrifice -all theirs faces remain carefully chiseled off. The friezes of the arch all serve to reinforce the power of Caesar Galerius, such as the terrified Persians whom cower under the hooves of Caesar’s horse in the chaotic battle.Photos courtesy & taken by Dan Diffendale. -- source link