Basilica of Maxentius

The immense Basilica of Maxentius was begun in 308 AD by Maxentius and completed by his successor Constantine who defeated Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. Following the battle in which Maxentius lost his life, the victorious Constantine modified the original orientation of the building and completed it; he also added precious decorations and fine marbles. This grandiose building housed some colossal statues (12 meters high) of Emperor Constantine; we can still be seen the fragments of the statues in the courtyard of the "Palazzo dei Conservatori". The ground plan and dimensions of the buildings were inspired by the majestic halls of the imperials baths, which were also called "Basilica".