Rome, Porta Maggiore
Q751318Porta Maggiore: monumental entrance to Rome, consisting of the decorated arches of two Roman aqueducts.
The Porta Maggiore ("the great gate") carried the canals of the aqueducts known as Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus (which were built between 38 and 52 CE). Where they crossed the Via Labicana and Via Praenestina, the arches of the aqueducts were included in a monumental gate of travertine, close to the Tomb of Eurysaces. At this monumental gate, the ancient roads left Rome.
The inscriptions on the Porta Maggiore state that the emperor Claudius (r.41-54) had finished the construction; that Vespasian (r.69-79) had repaired it; and that Titus (r.79-81) had done the same. This suggests that something was not quite well with the original minument.
A milestone that was found near the Porta Maggiore states that it was erected in the name of the emperor Maxentius (r.306-312).
 Rome, Porta Maggiore, Conduits |
 Porta Maggiore, pavement |
 Rome, Porta Maggiore, Inscription |
 Porta Maggiore / Via Praenestina, milestone |