Roman triumphal column. The column was built in 328 by Emperor Constantine I the Great (r. 306-337), who founded the new capital of the Roman Empire on the site of ancient Byzantium (later called Constantinople). Erected on the III Hill of Constantinople, the column was meant to remind us of Rome, which stands on seven hills, and to symbolize the connection of the old capital of the empire with the “New Rome”. The column’s shaft, 25 m high, consisted of seven porphyry drums — cylindrical blocks with a diameter of 2.9 m. They were surrounded by iron hoops and gilded bronze wreaths of laurel leaves. The eighth upper drum was made of marble.