Arx (Roman)

The location of the Arx is indicated on this speculative map of Rome circa 753 BC.

Arx is a Latin word meaning "citadel". In the ancient city of Rome, the "Arx" — not always capitalized — was located on the northern spur of the Capitoline Hill, and is sometimes specified as the Arx Capitolina.

History

Sentries were traditionally posted on the Arx in Rome to watch for a signal to be displayed on the Janiculum if an enemy approached. A red flag would be raised on the Arx and a trumpet blown. It was not regularly garrisoned, however, and should not be regarded as a "fort." However, in the Gallic siege of Rome (387 BC), the Arx was considered the point of last retreat, the capture of which was synonymous with the capture of the city. It thus held a symbolic power beyond its importance in military strategy, and was a central place in archaic Roman religion.

In the early Republic, some patricians were permitted to live on the Arx, among them Titus Tatius. After 384 BC, the Senate banned all private dwellings from the Arx and the rest of the Capitolium. The house of Marcus Manlius Capitolinus, a patrician champion of the plebs, was torn down at this time and became the site of the Temple of Juno Moneta.

On the Arx was located the auguraculum, the open space where the augurs conducted the rituals that determined whether the gods approved of whatever undertaking was at hand, public business or military action. Major temples on the Arx include that of Juno Moneta (established 344 BC), where the mint was located; Concordia (217 BC); Honor and Virtue; and Vediovis. Jupiter, however, was the god of the Arx.

Other "arxes"

The Romans also referred to the citadel of other cities as an arx.

References

Unless otherwise noted, general background and references to ancient sources from Samuel Ball Platner and Thomas Ashby, "Arx," A Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome (Oxford University Press, 1929), LacusCurtius edition.