triumphal arch

Monumental structures containing at least one arched passageway and erected to honour an important person or to commemorate a significant event, particularly a victory in war. Triumphal arches generally spanned a roadway used for triumphal processions..

Quick Facts on triumphal arch

Go Historic ID

165

Getty AAT ID

300007003

ICONCLASS

43A422

Term Type

building/structure category

Parent Terms

Child Terms

Related Terms

Description

Monumental structures containing at least one arched passageway and erected to honour an important person or to commemorate a significant event, particularly a victory in war. The basic form consisted of two piers connected by an arch, over which was placed a superstructure that served as a base for statues and bore commemorative inscriptions. Triumphal arches generally spanned a roadway used for triumphal processions.

Definition

Monumental structures containing at least one arched passageway and erected to honour an important person or to commemorate a significant event, particularly a victory in war. The basic form consisted of two piers connected by an arch, over which was placed a superstructure that served as a base for statues and bore commemorative inscriptions. Triumphal arches generally spanned a roadway used for triumphal processions. They are associated with ancient Roman architecture, however, they possibly developed elsewhere or from the Porta Triumphalis, which was a gate in Rome through which the victorious Roman army had to pass before entering the sacred city territory of Rome.

Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT)®