
Arch of the Sergii
'Arch of the Sergii' is an
Ancient Roman triumphal arch located in
Pula,
Croatia. The arch commemorates the Sergii family, specifically Lucius Sergius Lepidus, a
tribune serving in the twenty-ninth
legion that participated in the
Battle of Actium and disbanded in
27 BC. This suggests an approximate date of construction. The arch stood behind the original naval gate of the early
Roman colony.
The honorary
triumphal arch was permitted by the town of
Pula and paid for by the wife of Lepidus, Salvia Postuma. Both of their names are carved in the stone along with Lucius Sergius and Gaius Sergius, the honoree's father and uncle respectively. In its original form,
statues of the two elders flanked Lepidus on both sides on the top of the arch. The Sergii were likely a powerful family of officials in the colony.
The decoration is late
hellenistic, with major oriental influences. The arch was built on the facade of a gate in the walls, so that it was visible from the town-side.