Triumphal Arch of Orange
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Coordinates: 44°08′32″N 4°48′17″E / 44.142222°N 4.804722°E
| Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the Monumental Arch of Orange* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| State Party |  France |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, vi |
| Reference | 163 |
| Region** | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1981 (5th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
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The Monumental Arch of Orange (French: Arc de triomphe d'Orange) is a monumental arch located in the town of Orange, southeast France. It is situated 600 meters north from the town center by route N7. There is debate about when the arch was built, but current research favours a date during the reign of Augustus.[1] It was built on the former via Agrippa to honor the veterans of the Gallic Wars and Legio II Augusta. It was later reconstructed by emperor Tiberius to celebrate the victories of Germanicus over the German tribes in Rhineland.[1] The arch contains an inscription dedicated to emperor Tiberius in 27 AD.[2] It is decorated with various reliefs of military themes, including naval battles, spoils of war and Romans battling Germanics and Gauls. A Roman foot soldier carrying the shield of Legio II Augusta is seen on the north front battle relief.[2]
[edit] Description
The arch was used as a castle during the middle ages to guard the northern entry points of the town.[1] Architect Augustin Caristie studied the arch and caried out restoration work in the 1850's.[2] The arch was originally constructed using large unmortared limestone blocks. It has three arches with the center one being larger than the flanking ones. The entire structure measures 19.57 meters long by 8.40 meters wide, standing to a height of 19.21 meters.[1] Each façade has four semi-engaged corinthian columns. The arch is the oldest surviving arch of this design. The same design was used later for the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Arch of Constantine.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d Cleere, Henry (May 14, 2001). Southern France: An Oxford Archaeological Guide. Oxford University Press. pp. pp. 122-123. ISBN 0192880063.
- ^ a b c Bromwich, James (1993). The Roman Remains of Southern France: A Guidebook. Routledge. pp. pp. 183-186. ISBN 0415143586.
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