The Triumphal Arch stands at the entrance to the city of Orange, Provence. The arch commemorates the first conflict between the Romans and the Celts in France and is the oldest surviving arch of its design. It is thought to be a model that was later copied for arches built in Rome including Septimius Severus and the Arch of Constantine.
There is debate about when the arch was built, but research accepts the inscription as evidence favouring a date during the reign of Augustus. Historians believe it was built in 49BC by Julius Caesar and was later redecorated by Tiberius in 25 AD. There is an inscription dedicated to Tiberius in 27 AD which implies this fact is true.
The entire structure measures 19.57 meters long by 8.40 meters wide, standing to a height of 19.21 metres and is made entirely out of rock. Mortar was not needed for construction as the rocks were so perfectly cut. Orange was one of the bloodiest battles during the conquest of Gaul and scenes from this battle are carved onto the Triumphal Arch.
Today, UNESCO classifies Triumphal Arch of Orange as a world heritage site.
