This Iconic Paris Landmark Is Fake?

The Arc de Triomphe, an iconic landmark in Paris, is often seen as a grand symbol of triumph. However, it may surprise many to learn that it doesn’t fit the traditional definition of a "triumphal arch" from ancient Rome. Built to honor French heroes and celebrate military victories, the Arc de Triomphe is a massive structure made of solid stone, located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Despite its grandeur and historical significance, it diverges from the Roman concept of a triumphal arch.

In ancient Rome, a triumph was a specific ritual, a grand parade celebrating a significant military victory. This parade included the victorious general, his army, and spoils of war, and it passed through a specially erected triumphal arch. These arches were more than just monuments; they were part of the ceremonial route and commemorated an actual Roman triumph.

The Arc de Triomphe, while inspired by Roman architecture, was constructed in the 19th century to honor the French army and Napoleon’s victories. It doesn’t commemorate a single specific triumph but rather celebrates many. The three kings after Napoleon couldn't agree on who the arch should be dedicated to, so today the arch is dedicated to a lot of different armies and events. This distinction makes it different from true Roman triumphal arches, which were tied to specific events and rituals.

Understanding this difference highlights how historical architecture can blend and reinterpret traditions, creating monuments that honor the past while adapting to new contexts and meanings. The Arc de Triomphe stands as a testament to French pride and military history, even if it doesn’t fit the strict Roman definition of a triumphal arch.

[_magnify]

Interestingly, Napoleon did commission it as a celebration of the victory at Austerlitz, but when we actually arrived in Paris he passed under a smaller wooden arch that was dedicated to his marriage to his 2nd wife, and the Arc de Triomphe was not completed during his lifetime.

[komi-sanmustbeprotected]

Next you'll be telling me the leaning tower doesn't actually serve pizza

[jvdos]

Aw man. I thought the Las Vegas Colosseum held gladiator fights during the roman empire 😢

[ruidicgamer]

Bro I thought you were about to say it wasn't an arch 😭

[kaseywahl]

"THIS ISN'T AN ACTUAL TRIUMPH!"
"You're right, sir, this is a Wendy's."

[dhayes]

> Words change meaning over time
> Bro claims a giant stone monument is fake

[Cyber_Dunes]

It’s funny how common it is for structures hundreds of years old to be built as copies of even older structures

[COUNTERCOM]

Is nobody gonna mention the F18 FLYING THROUGH THE ARCH?

[DevKulkarni]

By this logic even the roman thing was actually a gate pretending to be an “Arc” because mathematically arcs are defined very differently.

[bobbyabercrombie]

So its not fake and you're arguing semantics

[ShahabEslamian]

This guy doesn't like arches. He's an arch enemy

[petrroubal]

Oh no next time you're gonna tell me The O2 Arena in London doesn't hold gladiator fights!

[FullMetalAlphonse]

L'arc de Triomphe absolutely is a real triumphal arch, it just wasn't used by the Romans. By definition, a triumphal arch is an arch used to celebrate a military victory, not necessarily a Roman one.

Its even known globally as the world's largest triumphal arch

[ironhand]

How can you even compare the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte after his victory at Austerlitz, to that building in Vegas.

[cmachinist]

I dunno man. This is kind of like saying the Statue of Liberty is fake because it's not an actual real live giant women, it just looks like one.

[christianholbrook]

So you're telling me an arch meant to celebrate victories is used to celebrate victories? I know it's specifically meant to celebrate Roman military victories but I feel like the meaning can be easily translated.

[ThorinHeal]

If we’re joining to get technical, there is only one coliseum, it’s called “the colluseum” and it is a giant amphitheater

[harmonyvtolvr]

The Arc De Triomphe actually commemorates a few wars: The French Revolution, The Napoleonic Wars, and World War I. It’s a beautiful monument, and one that is way more impressive in person than on video

[ekmelk]

I thought he was gonna say it's a hologram

[TheUnitedEmpireofWellington]

Ironland is amazing, I run a micronation called the United Empire of Wellington. We claim land all around the world and we want to give ironland some land . Can ironland recognize us?