Bilel Tayar
Arch of trajan
This Roman triumphal arch from the latter half of the 2nd Century, or the beginning of the 3rd Century, is located
near the city of Batna, Algeria.
Timgad was a Roman colonia in North Africa founded by the Emperor Trajan around AD 100. At the west end of the town rises this 39 foot high, 3-vaulted arch which was composed at the beginning of the Decumanus Maximus and the end of the road coming from Lambaesis.
The inscription on the attic records the foundation of the colony on the part of Trajan. The chief material used in building the arch was sandstone.
The decorative fabric of the monument, with the sides of the lateral arches detached from the wall and the lavish decoration of the architectural elements all suggest a later dating however than AD 100.
The high central arch permitted the passage of vehicles that have left deep ruts in the ground under the archway. The lateral arches, each 12.3 feet high, were reserved for pedestrians.
Above the lateral arches on both sides are deep rectangular niches, framed by aediculae with smooth-stemmed Corinthian columns of colored marble supported by shelves. The niches were designed to hold statues which are now lost.
The whole assemblage of each lateral arch and niche was framed by 2 red Corinthian columns, detached from the walls and supported by pedestals. The entablature that runs across the wall above the lateral arches, protrudes above the columns and a curvilinear pediment rests on it in turn. The attic must have been surmounted with a group of monumental statues.
Other sculpture was added to the arch in later times. This includes a statue of Mars and one of Concordia erected under Emperor Septimius Severus by Lucius Licinius Optatianus, on the occasion of his election as flamen-for-life of the colonia.
Trajan’s Arch was partially restored in 1900. The arch together with the whole archaeological site of Timgad, has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1982.
Arch of trajan
This Roman triumphal arch from the latter half of the 2nd Century, or the beginning of the 3rd Century, is located
near the city of Batna, Algeria.
Timgad was a Roman colonia in North Africa founded by the Emperor Trajan around AD 100. At the west end of the town rises this 39 foot high, 3-vaulted arch which was composed at the beginning of the Decumanus Maximus and the end of the road coming from Lambaesis.
The inscription on the attic records the foundation of the colony on the part of Trajan. The chief material used in building the arch was sandstone.
The decorative fabric of the monument, with the sides of the lateral arches detached from the wall and the lavish decoration of the architectural elements all suggest a later dating however than AD 100.
The high central arch permitted the passage of vehicles that have left deep ruts in the ground under the archway. The lateral arches, each 12.3 feet high, were reserved for pedestrians.
Above the lateral arches on both sides are deep rectangular niches, framed by aediculae with smooth-stemmed Corinthian columns of colored marble supported by shelves. The niches were designed to hold statues which are now lost.
The whole assemblage of each lateral arch and niche was framed by 2 red Corinthian columns, detached from the walls and supported by pedestals. The entablature that runs across the wall above the lateral arches, protrudes above the columns and a curvilinear pediment rests on it in turn. The attic must have been surmounted with a group of monumental statues.
Other sculpture was added to the arch in later times. This includes a statue of Mars and one of Concordia erected under Emperor Septimius Severus by Lucius Licinius Optatianus, on the occasion of his election as flamen-for-life of the colonia.
Trajan’s Arch was partially restored in 1900. The arch together with the whole archaeological site of Timgad, has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1982.