Date

Circa 1910

The triumphal arch at Carpentras was built in the first century, and celebrates a military victory. Its original location on the streets of the Roman town (Forum Neronis) is unknown; it was dismantled in the Middle Ages and reerected by a local bishop to serve as the entrance to his palace. The arch is incomplete: the upper parts are missing, but original reliefs in a rather flat, linear style, are preserved on the lower piers, much better preserved on the west side than on the east. It is an early example of the motif of the defeated barbarian, which later became widespread. The western relief shows two captives chained to a pillar or tree with their weapons hanging from it. Their hands are bound behind them. One wears the Phyrgian cap and short cloak and is thought to be a Parthian, the other bearded figure is thought to represent a German. The motif represents the dominance of the Romans over the entire empire.