The Early Empire

With Augustus’ rise to power as emperor, certain changes began to take place in the Forum. The first is that triumphal procession became an exclusive honor of members of the imperial family. It was no longer an honor that would be granted to any exceptional general, but instead became a way for the Senate and the Emperor to negotiate power. The Senate also began commissioning arches for the emperor and his family at this time.  For his successful in recovering military standards lost to the Parthians, Augustus himself was honored with an arch located in the Roman Forum. No material evidence of the arch remains, although it is well attested to in the literature, as well as in coin evidence. Built in 20 BCE, the triple arch had the traditional statue of Augustus in a chariot atop it. The construction of the arch was at an interesting time of power negotiation between Augustus and the Senate. Augustus carefully curated his image and his actions so as to not be officially perceived as an emperor, and part of that was by refusing to accept the honor of a triumph. Indeed even for his Parthian victory there is evidence that he did not receive one. However, at the same time it was in Augustus’ best interest to have his victories celebrated as a way to cement his own power, just in the same way it was in the Senate’s best interest to honor him as a way of negotiating power. The result was this arch monument commemorating a victory for which a triumph was not celebrated.1.

EH 

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1.Rich, J. W. "Augustus's Parthian Honours, the Temple of Mars Ultor and the Arch in the Forum Romanum." Papers of the British School at Rome66 (1998): 71-128.