The secret of a marble arch

The "Arco degli Argentari" is a structure with architrave (so it isn't a real arch), which stands just next to the portico of the Church of San Giorgio al Velabro. The area is plenty of remains which manage to bring our minds in very ancient times, when Rome was just born, when the kings tried to improve the city with many public services, as the market of Foro Boario (which was located just on this neighborhood). It was the symbol of a Rome which wanted to open new ways in the world. 

For this reason it isn’t a case if the “Arco degli Argentari” was a gift of the "bankers and the merchants of Rome", offered to the Imperial family of Settimio Severo, at the beginning of the III century AD. The "Arco degli Argentari" in fact was used as one of the entrance of the Foro Boario, the place in which the donors worked. Monuments as arches or something similar were very common in Rome, mainly if the receiving was the Emperor: in this way it was easier received some favours… A political way to improve businesses!
 
What is important to say it isn't just the fine and rich marble decorations, with the figures and reliefs which completely cover the surface, but what there isn't...in fact, close to the figures of the Imperial family, as Caracalla or Settimio Severo, we could observe a sort of empty space, a relief not so well preserved that looks like to be destroyed. Because it was destroyed, in order to cancel a character.

This is a clear example of "damnatio memoriae", a roman tradition which was used against the enemies of Rome or the men who weren't able to have civil behaviours. Nero, for example, was convicted, after his death, with the “damnatio memoriae”. This is the reasons why is very rare to find a marble bust or a statue depicting him. Turning back to the “Arco degli Argentari”, that cancelled character was Geta, the Caracalla's brother. Geta was the Settimio Severo’s heir, because it was his first son, while Caracalla was the second one. But in a period full of murdereds and blood, Carcalla killed his brother accusing him of treason. And the punishment for this crime was a “damnatio memoriae”. But probably, Caracalla just wanted to eliminate an aspirant to the throne…you can imagine that blood and violence were common in Rome, especially during this time, when the political power started to be not so strong like at the beginning. Many emeperors after this dinasty died, killing by soldiers or noblemen!