Can you walk through the Arch of Septimius Severus?

No. The arch is fenced off to protect it, and its passages are not open to visitors. You can still walk around it on the Forum paths and see both faces, the reliefs and the inscription up close. The terraces on the Capitoline side above the Forum also give a good view of the arch from outside.

Why was the Arch of Septimius Severus built?

The Roman Senate dedicated it in AD 203 to honour Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta for their victories against the Parthians in Mesopotamia. The large panels above the side arches show scenes from those campaigns. It also celebrated the tenth anniversary of Severus becoming emperor in the year 193.

What happened to Geta’s name on the arch?

After Septimius Severus died, Caracalla had his brother Geta murdered in 211 and ordered his name removed from public monuments. On the arch, Geta’s name was chiselled out of the fourth line of the inscription and new words were added in its place. The holes for the original bronze letters reveal the change.

How long should you spend at the Arch of Septimius Severus?

Ten to fifteen minutes is enough to read the inscription, find the campaign panels and look at the carved captives on the column bases. Because the Curia Julia and Temple of Saturn are right next to it, many visitors spend about half an hour at this western end of the Roman Forum in total.

Arch of Septimius Severus: History and Reliefs Explained

Arch of Septimius Severus with its inscription and large relief panels under a clear sky — The three-bay arch with its long inscription and the big campaign panels above the side arches.

What is the Arch of Septimius Severus?

It is the large three-bay marble arch at the western end of the Roman Forum, between the Curia Julia and the Temple of Saturn. The Senate dedicated it in AD 203 to Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta, to celebrate victories over the Parthians in Mesopotamia.

It is one of the best-preserved monuments in the Forum, partly because in the Middle Ages it was built into later structures and partly buried, which protected it.

Where the arch sits at the Capitoline end of the Forum. Orientation pins only, not a route. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Arch of Septimius Severus in golden evening light with the Temple of Vespasian columns behind — Late light on the arch, with the corner columns of the Temple of Vespasian behind it.

Why was a name erased from the inscription?

The inscription on the attic originally named Severus and both sons. After Severus died, Caracalla had his brother Geta murdered in 211 and ordered his memory wiped out across the empire. Geta’s name was chiselled off the arch and the fourth line was filled with new words praising the emperors as the best and bravest princes.

Look closely at the fourth line: the holes for the original bronze letters do not quite match the words you can read today, which is how scholars reconstructed the change.

Close-up of the inscription and battle reliefs on the attic of the Arch of Septimius Severus — The fourth line of the inscription was recut after Geta’s name was erased.

What do the reliefs show?

Above each side arch is a large panel showing scenes from the Parthian campaigns, read from bottom to top like a picture strip: armies on the march, sieges of cities, speeches to the troops and surrenders. They are worn, so morning or late-afternoon light that rakes across the surface shows them best.

Lower down, the bases of the columns are carved with Roman soldiers leading bound captives, and the spaces above the central arch hold winged Victories and river gods. The central vault has a coffered ceiling of carved rosettes.

Coffered central vault and carved column bases of the Arch of Septimius Severus — The coffered vault and the column bases carved with Roman soldiers and captives.

What should you look for in a short stop?

Where	Look for
Attic inscription	The recut fourth line where Geta’s name was erased
Above the side arches	Four large Parthian campaign panels
Column bases	Soldiers leading bound captives
Above the central arch	Winged Victories and river gods
Next to the arch	The speakers’ platform (Rostra) and Temple of Saturn

How does the arch fit into a Forum visit?

The arch stands at the Capitoline end of the Forum, a few steps from the Curia Julia and the Temple of Saturn, so you can see all three in one stop. You cannot walk through it; it is fenced, but you can see both faces from the paths. Allow ten to fifteen minutes. It is inside the paid Forum and Palatine area, and the Capitoline viewpoints above show it well from outside.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you walk through the Arch of Septimius Severus?: No. The arch is fenced off to protect it, and its passages are not open to visitors. You can still walk around it on the Forum paths and see both faces, the reliefs and the inscription up close. The terraces on the Capitoline side above the Forum also give a good view of the arch from outside.
Why was the Arch of Septimius Severus built?: The Roman Senate dedicated it in AD 203 to honour Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta for their victories against the Parthians in Mesopotamia. The large panels above the side arches show scenes from those campaigns. It also celebrated the tenth anniversary of Severus becoming emperor in the year 193.
What happened to Geta’s name on the arch?: After Septimius Severus died, Caracalla had his brother Geta murdered in 211 and ordered his name removed from public monuments. On the arch, Geta’s name was chiselled out of the fourth line of the inscription and new words were added in its place. The holes for the original bronze letters reveal the change.
How long should you spend at the Arch of Septimius Severus?: Ten to fifteen minutes is enough to read the inscription, find the campaign panels and look at the carved captives on the column bases. Because the Curia Julia and Temple of Saturn are right next to it, many visitors spend about half an hour at this western end of the Roman Forum in total.