COSTANTINO'S ARCH

COSTANTINO'S ARCH

"THE HISTORY"

When Diocleziano moved the capital of the empire to Nicomedia a division of the power became necessary to stay closer to the borders always less safer becouse of continuous Barbarians' attacks. For this reason was nominated Augusto of Milan Massimiano while Diocleziano kept thew title of Augusto for the eastern provinces. Each Augusto nominated his Ceasars: Galerio was Diocleziano's Ceasar and set a capital in Mitrovizza, Costanzo Cloro as Massimiano's Ceasar in Treviri. Two Augustos kept their promise to abdicate after twenty years of goverment and pass the power to the Ceasars. Diocleziano retired in Spalato till his death just in time to see the end of the peace and the beginning of civil war. Costantino was Costanzo Cloro's son while Massenzio was Massimiano's son. The 27th of October 312 A.D. two armies leaded by Costantino and Massenzio faced each other close to Rome and Costantino saw a lighted cross in the sky with this inscription "In hoc signo vinces" that means In this sign you'll win. Costantino drawn the cross on his flag and won the battle for the power. All this story is commemorated in 315 A.D. with this arch still well kept nowadays before the Coliseum. The weird thing is that nothing in this arch remember the influence of Christ on the fortune of this battle, moreover some friezes and estatues come from other momuments of the forum. This says much to us on the Costantino's conversion to Christian religion. In fact he surely changed the religion of the empire with his famous edict (there was not another one at that point) but he also accepted to be baptized just at death's door.