Arch of Janus

The Arch of Janus (also Arch of Janus, Italian: Arco di Giano ) is an ancient monument in Rome. It is a so-called quadrifrons ( or Greek tetrapylon ), a four-sided structure with a square base, the brick and Roman concrete ( opus caementitium ) was built and covered with marble.

In ancient Rome, the 16 -meter-high building in a prominent position stood in the area of Velabrum at the north end of the Forum Boarium. Initially believed by historians to be able to recognize a temple of Janus here. Although this assumption has now proven to be wrong, which is probably derived from the Renaissance name Janus quadrifrons remained.

Later it was pointed on the building as a triumphal arch which was built in the 4th century AD in honor of Emperor Constantine of Constantine II. A comparison with the structurally Heidentor at Carnuntum showed that both Quadrifrontes were built according to the same planning scheme.

Today it is believed that the monument is a covered street intersection in the middle of the Via del Velabro over the Cloaca Maxima was, went off of the streets on four sides. Like almost all public places in Rome was the building a meeting place for traders, who could also use it as a shelter.

The sculptural decoration of the Janus arch consisted mainly of spolia. In each of the four 12 -meter-wide façade twelve niches for honorary statues are embedded. The keystones of the four archways adorned each of a female deity: Roma, Minerva and Juno and Ceres probably.

In the Middle Ages, the Arch of Janus part of the castle of the Frangipani family. 1830, the original form was renovated. The original attic was inadvertently destroyed. Fragments of the arc ( eg parts of the consecration inscription of Attica ) are preserved in the nearby church of San Giorgio in Velabro.