Same reason we do today, they're cool. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Arch
this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2024
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They’re usually to celebrate a triumph
Cities grow, so I imagine the first few were actually gates from the old city wall, and the triumphal entry became a ceremonial simulacra of itself. Maybe on powerful/respected general was like: don't tear down that gate, the memories of that time i defeated...
What about Troy? Only asking because a while back we found evidence it actually exsisted.
Maybe I miscommunicated, because I was not trying to imply that anything did not exist.