The Arch of the Sergii, a triumphal former gateway to the ancient Roman colony and regional capital, Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola Pollentia Herculanea, today’s Adriatic port of Pula, Istria county, Croatia, was raised in about 28 BC. It honoured three members of the powerful Sergii family and celebrated Octavian’s decisive naval victory at Actium in 31 BC over the fleets of rebel Roman general Mark Antony and his lover, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. One family member, Lucius Sergius Lepidus, fought as a Tribune of the 29th Legion in the sea battle off the coast of Greece.
Pula, Istria county, Croatia: winged victories fly in the spandrels of the impressive Corinthian triumphal Arch of the Sergii, a former city gate of the ancient Roman colony and regional capital, Colonia Pietas Julia Pollentia Herculanea. The arch was raised in about 28 BC to honour three members of the powerful Sergii family, and also to celebrate Octavian’s decisive victory at Actium in September 31 BC over the combined naval forces of rebel Roman politician and general Mark Antony and his lover, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. One of the Sergii brothers, Lucius Sergius Lepidus, had fought as a Tribune of the 29th Legion in the great sea battle off the coast of Greece that proved to be decisive in the Final War of the Roman Republic.
Size: 3886px × 2613px
Location: Arch of the Sergii, Pula, Istria County, Croatia
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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