Arch of Germanicus

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The arch of Germanicus is an arch of Roman Antiquity erected at Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum) in the year 18 or 19 for Emperor Tiberius, his son Drusus and his nephew and adoptive son Germanicus. The arch of Germanicus is classified as historical monuments by order of 5 July 1905.

History: The arch of Germanicus was probably built in 18 or 19. He is dedicated to Emperor Tiberius, his son Drusus and his nephew and adopted son Germanicus. It is not a triumphal arch because it does not celebrate a military victory, but a votive arch because it is raised as an offering to the emperor. Its construction was financed by a rich Romanized santon, Caius Julius Rufus. It is a two-bayed arch originally built upon the arrival of Via Aggripa: Roman way Lyon - Saintes (Lugdunum – Mediolanum Santonum), at the level of the Roman bridge over the Charente. Forming the monumental entrance of the city, it culminated in the Decumanus maximus, the main axis of the city from east to west still perceptible today by Victor Hugo street in the Saint Pierre district. It was restored in 1666. Around 1840, the arch was threatened with demolition, along with...