Triumphal arches from Lower Moesia

Abstract

The triumphal arches, a product of imperial propaganda, are the most famous and widespread Roman triumphal monuments. The official Roman coins illustrated on their reverse the triumphal arches located in the capital of the empire, Rome. Many of these monuments are still preserved, but some have disappeared in the tumult of history. Therefore, coins become “evidence” of the existence of these buildings when thy have not survived over centuries or allow the reconstruction of parts that have disappeared from them. The provincial coins of Lower Moesia also speak of the presence of such triumphal monuments (unknown now by of archaeological discoveries) from this border province. In this paper, some considerations are expressed regarding the numismatic evidence of the triumphal arches at Markianopolis and Tomis.