Arch of Titus

Arch of Titus

Titus was the second emperor of the Flavian dynasty during the Imperial period. The Arch of Titus is a single-arch marble triumphal arch located on the Sacred Way southeast of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy. It was built by Emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his brother Titus to commemorate the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which put an end to the Jewish revolt that began in 66 AD. The Arch of Titus served as a model for many later triumphal arches after the 16th century.

Built in 82 AD, the Arch of Titus stands 14.4 meters high, 13.3 meters wide, and 6 meters deep, and is adorned with reliefs. The main façade of the arch features a relatively high podium and attic, giving it a sense of stability, solemnity, and grandeur. The structure is made of concrete faced with marble, and its attic is carved with a procession offering sacrifices to the gods during the triumph. The Arch of Titus contains the only surviving depiction of the treasures of the Jerusalem Temple, showing Titus’s troops joyfully carrying important spoils looted from the temple in Jerusalem — the golden menorah, the candelabra, and silver trumpets — beneath what symbolizes the Roman triumphal arch. The layout and modeling of the reliefs use a technique of alternating solid and void to create a realistic sense of space. The emphasis on the dynamic movement of figures makes the scene powerful despite the limited number of characters. The depiction of the seven-branched menorah from the Temple of Jerusalem on the Arch of Titus has been used as the symbol on the emblem of the State of Israel.

Arch of Titus

Must-visit reason: The most famous single-arch triumphal arch in Rome

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Lazio Region [Lazio Region]

City where the attraction is located: Rome [Roman]