Arch of Septimius Severus (monument)
In 203 AD, the Arch of Septimius Severus—Italian *Arco di Settimio Severo*—rose at the northwestern end of the Roman Forum to celebrate Emperor Septimius Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, and their Parthian victories. Those wins came from campaigns against the Parthians in 194–195 and again in 197–199. But Rome’s triumphal story had a twist. After Septimius Severus died, Caracalla and Geta were initially joint emperors—until Caracalla had Geta assassinated in Rome. In the practice known as *damnatio memoriae*, Geta’s memorials were destroyed: his images and even references to him were removed from public monuments, including this arch, where Geta’s inscriptions and depiction disappeared. The monument itself was big for its moment—about 23 meters (75 ft) tall and roughly 25 meters (82 ft) wide—set on a travertine base once reached by steps, with a central archway and lateral openings. …
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