
The Triumphal Arch of Augustus
etween the Temple of Julius Caesar
and the Castor and Pollux temple you can find the
remnants of the Triumphal Arch of Augustus. The Arch had
three passage ways. It marked the beginning of the
excessive building of monuments at the Forum. The Arch of
Augustus was so close to the temple of Castor and Pollux
that during later restorations the stairs of the temple
were found quite near to one of the side entrances of the
arch. On the other side it almost touched upon the temple
of Julius Caesar. Still Augustus chose this place after
careful consideration. He loved the idea of building the
arch at an important section of the Via Sacra. It is not
very clear for which memorable event in his career
Augustus had the arch built. It may commemorate the great
battle of Actium against Anthony and Cleopatra. A
16th-century-inscription, of which we have a copy,
suggests that it is likely to be the Battle of Actium
that explains the building of the triumphal Arch of
Augusts.

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