In our previous post we saw Roman Emperor Constantine’s Arch, commemorating his victory over his rival Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge.
There is a lengthy official inscription at the top center of the arch, explaining its purpose.
Here is the Latin inscription with the English translation, from Rome, an Oxford Archaeological Guide:
IMP(eratori) CAES(ari) FL(avio) CONSTANTINO MAXIMO
Claridge, Amanda. Rome (Oxford Archaeological Guides) (p. 308).
To the emperor Flavius Constantine, the Great, P(io)F(elici) AUGUSTO S(enatus) P(opulus)Q(ue)R(omanus)
pious and fortunate, the Senate and People of Rome, QUOD INSTINCTU DIVINITATIS MENTIS
because by divine inspiration and his own greatness of spirit MAGNITUDINE CUM EXERCITU SUO
with his army TAM DE TYRANNO QUAM DE OMNI EIUS
on both the tyrant and all his FACTIONE UNO TEMPORE IUSTIS
faction at once in rightful REM PUBLICAM ULTUS EST ARMIS
battle he avenged the State, ARCUM TRIUMPHIS INSIGNEM DICAVIT
dedicated this arch as a mark of triumph
It is very popular to have group photos of tours taken with the arch as the background. Perhaps this will help in some small way to understand its historical significance.
Posted by Leon Mauldin 
leonmauldin.blog 