Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arch of Sergius (Slavoluk Sergijevaca)
This triumphal arch, from the first century
B.C.
, was Michelangelo's favorite Roman artifact
in Pula. Marking the edge of the original Roman town, it was built to honor Lucius Sergius
Lepidus. He fought on the side of Augustus in the civil wars that swept the empire after
JuliusCaesar'sassassination.Theproto-feministinscriptionproudlyexplains,“Silviaofthe
Sergius family paid for this with her own money.” Statues of Silvia's husband, Lucius, plus
her son and her brother-in-law, once stood on the three blocks at the top of the arch. (Squint
to see the
Sergivs
name on each block.) On the underside of the arch is a relief of an eagle
(the symbol of Rome) clutching an evil snake in its talons.
