Porta Maggiore

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  • Address
    Piazza di Porta Maggiore, Esquiline
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  • Transport
    bus: Porta Maggiore

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Porta Maggiore, also known as Porta Prenestina, was built by Claudius in AD 52. Then, as now, it was a major road junction under which passed the two main southbound roads, Via Prenestina and Via Labicana (modern-day Via Casilina).

The arch supported two aqueducts - the Acqua Claudia and the Acqua Aniene Nuova - and was later incorporated into the Aurelian Wall.

In the middle of Piazza di Porta Maggiore is the Sepolcro di M Virgilio Eurisace. Commonly known as the Baker's Tomb, this pretentious monument was built in 30 BC by the widow of the baker Vergilius Eurysaces in memory of her husband.