Arch of Galerius
| Department | Archive |
|---|---|
| Collection | Byzantine Research Fund |
| Reference No. | BRF/02/01/07/039 |
| Level | Item |
| Place |
Arch of Galerius Thessalonike |
| Dates | 1888-1890 |
| Scope and Content | One of the main piers (detail). Unknown photographer. The initials R.W.S.W. and other annotation survive in pencil at the back of the photograph. Commercial print acquired by Schultz (R.W.S.W as he was later known) |
| Further information | The Arch of Galerius, known as Kamara in Modern Greek, stands in what was in Roman times the centre of Thessalonike, very close to the centre of the modern city. The arch was built in 305, to celebrate the triumph of Galerius, one of Diocletian's Caesars, over the Sassanids. The structure originally consisted of four main marble pillars and two smaller ones on each side, the former supporting a central dome. Stones, bricks and mortar were also used as building materials. The monument formed part of the palace Galerius built in Thessalonike as his residence. Today only three pillars and a part of the brick masonry above survive. The other parts of the structure were destroyed on an unknown date, probably during one of many earthquakes which have damaged Thessalonike throughout its history. The two main surviving pillars are covered with sculpted marble slabs, which symbolically depict, among other subjects, the wars of Galerius against the Persians. |