Arch of Titus

Arch of Titus
By: Charlotte Eades

Titus Caesar was born on December 30th, 39 AD and became emperor on 24th of June, 79 AD. At first, the citizens of Rome believed he would rule like the cruel emperor Nero, but Titus quickly gained the reputation of the most generous Roman emperor. His greatest achievements in his lifetime includes finishing the Flavian Amphitheatre, building new baths, and capturing Jerusalem. The Arch of Titus, whose Latin name is Titi Arcum, was dedicated to Titus two years after Titus’s death “to commemorate his deification” (Scarre, 75). It is considered a triumphal arch because it also shows his military victory after the Jerusalem siege in 70 AD. Titus’s ascent to heaven, the parade after the siege with Titus in a chariot, the soils from the war, Victory giving Titus a crown, personifications of Honor and Valor and Titus visiting the relics on Pompeii are also featured on the arch. Originally, the arch was adorned with gilded bronze statues, but until the evil pillagers stole all the bronze. The actual arch on the Arch is the early style, which is curved and is made of Pentelic marble and stone. Other details are Ionic volutes, Roman Composite capitals, and Corinthian acanthus leaves. A fun fact about the arch is that it was built into the Frangipani family’s fortress in the 11th century. The Arch of Titus impacts the modern world because it inspired the Arc of Triumph, which is a famous French symbol. The Arch of Titus currently resides in the Forum and it is still standing today.

Thanks to:
Scarre
Kleiner

Khan Academy