by Giuseppe Agostino Pietro Vasi, 1747
The gate was originally an arch, built under Augustus, at the point where three aqueducts (Aqua Marcia, Aqua Julia and Aqua Tepula) crossed the Via Tiburtina. The arch was restored by the emperors Titus and Caracalla.
The Arch of Augustus was incorporated into the Aurelian Walls by the emperor Aurelian. At the time of Honorius's restoration, in the 5th century, a second, outer opening was built, with five small openings that lit the room where the gate was operated.
Over time the gate changed its name to Porta San Lorenzo, owing to the nearby basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. The people, however, called it "Capo de bove" or "Porta Taurina", since the Arch of Augustus was decorated with bulls' skulls.
The gate witnessed the victory won on the evening of 20 November 1347 by the Roman popular leader Cola di Rienzo over the forces of the city's barons, in which their leader Stefano Colonna was killed.
Full title of the work: Porta S. Lorenzo ot. Esquilina. G. Vasi dis. e inc. 6. Delle magnificenze di Roma antica e moderna : Libro primo ... In Roma MDCCXLVII (1747).
