Introduction to the Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus is a Roman triumphal arch which was erected by the Domitian in c. 81 CE on Via Sacra Palatine at the foot of the Roman Forum, Rome. It commemorates the victories of his father Vespasian and his brother Titus in the Jewish Wars of Judaea (70-71 CE) when the great city of Jerusalem was sacked and its temples plundered for its immense wealth. The arch was also a political and religious statement expressing the divinity of the late Emperor Titus.

Inscription

The arches are built of Pentelic marble and the attic section of Luna marble. The original inscription on the east side of the arch remains in situ, although originally the letters were inlaid in gilded bronze. It reads:

(The Senate and People of Rome, to Dius Vespasian, Dius Titus, son of Vespasian Augustus). Titus' use of "Divo" indicates that the arch was built after the emperor's death in AD 81. The inscription on the west side describes the renovation of the monument by Pope Pius VII in 1821 AD.

Decorative Sculpture

Compared to other surviving arches such as those of Constantine and Septimius Severus, it has only one opening. The arches are smaller and more plain in decoration. Additionally, decorative sculptures do not stand up to the ravages of time very well. Nonetheless, one can still see the importance of some of the sculptural scenes, especially the side panels. Set on either side of the inner arch, these marble reliefs are 2.04 m high and 3.85 m long. A panel showing Titus's triumphal triumph in AD 71 *** begins with its passage through the Arc de Triomphe to the Forum Boarium, with participants carrying the spoils from the Temple of Jerusalem after its sack. The loot included a seven-branched menorah (menorah), silver trumpets, and possibly even the Ark of the Covenant. Some figures bear placards, possibly bearing the names of conquered cities and peoples.

Another relief panel is carved in three-quarter view, showing Titus riding a four-horse chariot (quadriga) and showing him being crowned by the personification of victory. The Roman goddess stands in front, holding the reins of a horse. The two figures on the right side of the chariot are personifications of the Roman people (naked) and the Senate (in robes).

These two relief panels are important in the history and development of Roman art, as they were the first comprehensive attempts by Roman sculptors to create the illusion of space. This is successfully achieved in a number of ways; the figures are in three-quarter view, the background figures are rendered gradually receding into the distance, the central figure is in relief higher than the peripheral figures, and the entire panel is slightly curved inwards.

Surrounding the entire arch is a small frieze depicting the entire triumph, above the wings of the intrados each victor stands on a globe holding a banner, trophy, laurel wreath and Palm leaves. In the center of each side of the arch are cornerstones representing the genius of the Romans and the Roman people. The center of the interior vault is decorated with the image of the deified Titus (the deified) being carried to heaven by an eagle. Initially, the entire arch was to be completed in the traditional style and a massive bronze quadrangle would stand on top of the arch.

Later History

The arch was incorporated into the fortifications built by the Plumeria family in the Middle Ages and suffered losses as a result. Major restoration work on the monument was carried out in the 19th century AD, notably using travertine limestone on some of the piers and attics. In fact, the entire arch was dismantled and reassembled piece by piece. Today, the foundations of the arch can be seen as the original road would have been higher.