The Arch Of The Etruscans Photo: Etruscan Arch

The arch of the Etruscans, also known as the Arch of Augustus, was built in Perugia in about the 3rd century BC and were one of seven of the entrance gate to the city at the time. Passing through the arch and down the street Ulysses rocky, you can be on Corso Vannucci, the main street of Perugia.

Two centuries after the construction of the arch was engraved the inscription "Augusta Perusia" - it marked the conquest of the city by the Emperor Augustus. Perugia surrendered after a seven-month siege in about 40 BC, It was a period of violent clashes between Augustus and mark Antony. The brother of the last, Lucius, barricaded in Perugia at that time the city was virtually impregnable, because it stood on a hill and was surrounded by a strong wall with seven gates. Moreover, according to historical Chronicles, the army of Lucius outnumbered the enemy, and in the city there were enough supplies of food and weapons. August decided to personally lead a military campaign against the recalcitrant rebels. In the end, Perugia fell, and the Emperor did not hesitate to massacre – he plundered and burned the town, retaining only the temples of Vulcan and Juno.

But, in order to mitigate the effects of their actions, August allowed the survivors to rebuild Perugia again, but with the condition that the city would be named Augusta Perusia. Exactly inscriptions appeared on the Arch of the Etruscans and the gate of the Port of Marcius.

Over the centuries of its history, the Etruscan Arch, not just changing the name – she was the Third and Porta Porta Borca, the arc de Triomphe and the Port Vecchia, as well as Port Pulchra. Be that as it may, these monumental gates in comparison with other city gate has been preserved best.

The arch of the Etruscans consists of two trapezoidal towers and facade. Above it there is a small Lodge in the Renaissance style, built in the 16th century, and on both sides of it are blocks of Sandstone from the remains of two goals. Once they symbolized the ancient deities guarding the city. At the base of the right tower arch in the 17th century was built the fountain.

Above the arch is seen decorated with metapol frieze with round shield and another Latin inscription – "Colonia Vibia". It was made by order of Gaius Vibe of Tribonian Gaul during his short reign with 251 through 253 years. Military figure Gaul, who ascended the throne in the so-called "military anarchy" and declared the fall of the Western Roman Empire, was a descendant of the famous kind, had Etruscan roots and probably descended from Perugia. Just two years later after the reign he was murdered by his own soldiers, who joined another military leader Marcus Aemilianus.

In front of the Arch there is the Baroque Palazzo Gallenga Stewart, which since 1927 hosts the University of Perugia for foreigners. The Palace was built on the initiative of Giuseppe Antinori as the residence of the noble paradeisou the name Antinori. Here in 1720, the young Carlo Goldoni put her first performance. In 1875, bought the Palazzo Romeo Gallenga Stewart – hence the modern name of the building.

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The Arch Of The Etruscans
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