This article is part of the series on: Military of ancient Rome (portal) 753 BC – AD 476 |
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Structural history | |
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Roman army (unit types and ranks, legions, auxiliaries, generals) | |
Roman navy (fleets, admirals) | |
Campaign history | |
Lists of wars and battles | |
Decorations and punishments | |
Technological history | |
Military engineering (castra, siege engines, arches, roads) | |
Political history | |
Strategy and tactics | |
Infantry tactics | |
Frontiers and fortifications (limes, Hadrian's Wall) |
Porte Mars is an ancient Roman triumphal arch in Reims, France. It dates from the third century AD, and was the widest arch in the Roman world .
The Arch is 32 metres long and 13 metres high. It was named after a nearby temple to Mars. The arch has many highly detailed carvings on its exterior and on the ceilings of its three passageways. Local folklore says that the inhabitants of Rheims built the arch in gratitude when the Romans brought major roads through their city. It served as a city gate until 1544. In 1817, the buildings around it were removed, bringing the arch into full view.