Academic Scientific JournalsPorta Argentariorum and the sacrificial scene with the Severans an attempt at a reconstruction of the image communication scheme
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26881/porta.2025.24.01Keywords:
Arch of Silversmiths, Gate of Money Changers, Arcus Argentariorum, Septimius Severus, Severans, bankers and cattle dealersAbstract
The Gate of the Money Changers is located in the area of the oldest Roman market the Forum Boarium in todays Via del Velabro 19 in Rome. The gate was a monumental richly decorated entrance to an architectural complex whose function is uncertain. It could have been a schola a place where argentarii et negotiantes boari i.e. bankers and cattle traders the founders of the gate had their headquarters and offices. The main point of interest here is the rich figurative decoration of the Gate. On the basis of this it is possible to deduce not only the social reception of state policy at the turn of the second and third centuries but also the public reception of the image of Septimius Severus and his family.
In the Gate passage there are two large vertical sculptural panels depicting members of the imperial family making the sacrifice. The first one on the eastern pillar originally depicted Septimius Severus his wife Julia Domna and their son Geta. The figure of the latter is no longer visible having been removed a few years after the monument was erected. On the opposite side of the passage on the western pillar there is another panel which now shows only one person Caracalla. Originally the composition consisted of three figures the other two being Fulvia Plautilla Caracallas wife and her father Gaius Fulvius Plautianus. The content of the decoration of the Gate refers among other things to the harmony and unity of the imperial family Concordia and to the foundation of the era of peace and stability Pax Romana. Of primary importance were the sacrificial scenes which illustrated the piety Pietas of the Severans understood not only as a correct attitude towards the gods but also as a mans duty towards his family ancestors and the state. Commissioned by Roman merchants specifically bankers and cattle dealers these religious images of members of the ruling family were a constant reminder of their influence on the daily lives of bankers and cattle traders. By placing them on the gate of their schola the merchants not only demonstrated their loyalty to the ruling dynasty but also provided themselves with a source of constant divine protection.
As a private foundation the Gate of the Money Changers proves that a specific way of seeing of the emperor and his family did not necessarily have to be imposed from above through official works of art. It could be widespread among not only elites but also ordinary people or well to do members of the community. All of them were aware that their well being depended to a large extent on the actions even metaphysical ones of the rulers of the Roman Empire.
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Strony internetowe
Słownik języka polskiego PWN, hasło „propaganda”: https://sjp.pwn.pl/szukaj/propaganda.html [dostęp: 14.11.2024]
Sceny z Kolumny Trajana: https://www.trajans-column.org/?page_id=578#PhotoSwipe164865916565 [dostęp: 9.11.2024]
