388 The Roman Forum. being completely dismantled, and taken to pieces, preparatory to its thorough restoration, and replace ment. The Arch of Constantine, commemorative of his victories, as well as of that over Maxentius, who, in flying from his conqueror, was drowned in the Tiber by the breaking of the bridge, the Ponte Molle, crossed in entering Rome by the Porta del Popolo, on the Via Flaminia, anciently called the Pons Milvius, or Æmylius, and built by Æmilius Scaurus. Its bassi-rilievi are all allusive to Roman history; and it was once surmounted by a Triumphal Car of Constantine, drawn by the famous and oft transplanted four bronze horses now again at Venice. From its preservation it is one of the most valuable antiquities left to these times, though some of its finest ornaments are the wilful spoils of the Senate of Rome from the Arch of Trajan. These three Triumphal Arches of the Forum are severally adorned with Bassi Rilievi allusive to the respective victors, and victories, with appropriate trophies, and varied ornaments. Beautiful even in decay, they yet exhibit some of their grand triumphant characteristics :-Silently we gaze, and admire the bright genius of art that created, and united such splendid trophics; and though the fleeting mortal who achieved them has perished, yet these mementoes of him |