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Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito)

Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito)

The Arch of Titus stands on the highest point of the Sacra Via at the entrance of the Roman Forum. The Forum lies to the West of the Arch of Titus, while to the east at the bottom of the Sacra Via sits the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine. Off to the south rises the Palatine Hill which has further ruins.

The Arch of Titus was built by Domitian shortly after the death of Titus. It commemorates the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD, effectively ending the Jewish Wars although Masada did not fall until 73. The inscription across the top reads 'The Senate and People of Rome to the divine Titus Vespasianus Augustus, son of the divine Vespasian'. It was common for the emperors of Rome to be deified, and worship of them as gods was expected of good Roman citizens. This inscription is on the front of a attic built on top of the Arch of Titus.

The Arch of Titus consists of one central arch lined with panels showing the triumphal procession. In one the treasures of the Temple of Jerusalem are being carried on litters (fercula). The seven-branched candelabrum (menorah), silver trumpets, and the table for the showbread are all depicted. Two plaques carried aloft would have had the names of conquered cities inscribed on them. The treasures were later placed in the Temple of Peace in the Forum of Vespasian.

The relief on the opposite side of the central Arch show the actual triumphal procession of Titus. He is in a chariot with the winged goddess Victory placing a wreathe on his head. The horses are led by a goddess identified as either Roma or Valor.

Other nearby examples in Rome of similar arches include the Arch of Constantine at the bottom of the Sacra Via and the Arco di Settimio Severo at the other end of the Roman Forum. The Arch of Titus is very well known and formed a blue print for many such arches built subsequently since the 16C, including Marble Arch and Wellington Arch in London and the Arc de Triumphe in Paris.

The entrance gate to the Palatine Hill is nearby. Tickets purchased here also allow for entrance to the Colosseum, and the queues at the Palatine Hill ticket office tend to be much shorter.

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Panorama of the Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito) on the Sacra Via at the entrance to the Roman Forum linked to an interactive map of Rome. The Arch of Titus is a victory monument to celebrate the end of the Jewish Wars.