shaping memories in the west 129

senate had presumably taken the initiative in designing and construct-

ing the arch and its decorations, the supervisors of the project had most
likely been the prefects of the city. After his victory in 312 Constan-
tine had allowed Maxentius’ current prefect, Gaius Annius Anullinus,
to serve for another month. He subsequently appointed first Aradius
Rufinus, who served until late 313, and then Gaius Ceionius Rufius
Volusianus, who in addition held a consulship in 314 and was still serv-
ing as prefect when Constantine returned in 315. Both had previously
held high offices under Maxentius, Rufinus as consul and prefect of the
city, Volusianus as praetorian prefect, prefect of the city, and consul.
Constantine was clearly trying to win the loyalty of senators at Rome
by demonstrating continuity of officeholding. Rather than indulging
in reprisals, he reappointed some of the senators who had previously
supported Maxentius.38
In return, the prefects presided over the construction and dedication
of the commemorative arch for Constantine. Their ideas of proper
emperorship had presumably been formed while serving Maxentius,
their former patron who had emphasized his respect for the old tradi-
tions of the Republic. In fact, Volusianus had already previewed some
of these ideas when setting up a dedication and statue of Constantine in
the Forum of Trajan, probably in anticipation of the emperor’s return.
In the dedication he praised Constantine as “the restorer of the human
race, the enlarger of the empire and Roman authority, and the founder
of eternal security.” Similar sentiments appeared in the inscriptions on
the arch. Under the leadership of the prefects of the city, the senators
could suggest to Constantine their expectations about proper imperial
behavior at Rome.39

38
For the careers of these prefects of Rome, see PLRE 1:79, “C. Annius Anullinus 3,” 775,
“Aradius Rufinus 10,” 976–78, “C. Ceionius Rufius Volusianus 4,” with Chapter 7, for
Volusianus’ possible exile.
39
For Maxentius at Rome, see Chapter 9. Volusianus’ dedication: ILS 1:156, no. 692 =
Grünewald (1990) 217, no. 241. For the didactic message, note Lenski (2008) 247: “By
fashioning the arch and its inscription as they did, Rome and its Senate no doubt hoped to
nudge Constantine toward a similar interpretation of events.”