Arch of Titus

The Triumph of Titus AD 71 is a painting by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. The painting depicts the Roman emperor Titus returning to Rome after his victory in the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The painting is set against the backdrop of the Arch of Titus, which was built to commemorate Titus' victory. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of movement and drama, while the carefully rendered details bring the viewer into the midst of the action.

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In the summer of 71 C.E., the Roman emperor Vespasian and his eldest son Titus returned to Rome after quelling a dangerous revolt in Judea. The quelling of this revolt put an end to the last vestiges of serious resistance to Rome in Judea and secured Rome's rule in the province. The victory was commemorated by the erection of the Arch of Titus Rome.

The arch is located in Summa Sacra Via, the highest point of the Sacra Via, Rome’s “Sacred Way” that operated as its primary processional street. By parading through the streets of Rome, the emperor was able to show off his power and wealth to the people. The route also served as a way to visually connect the different parts of Rome. The street leading from the valley of the Flavian amphitheatre to the valley of the Forum Romanum was lined with statues and other monuments. This helped to create a sense of connection between these two important parts of Rome.

The Arch of Titus Rome played a particularly important role in this connection. The arch was located at a key point along the route, and it served as a visual link between the two valleys. Beyond that, it also linked Rome's past glory with its present power.

The Attic inscription on the Arch of Titus is a key piece of evidence for understanding the Roman public's opinion of Titus. The simple statement tells us a few important things. It shows that Titus was held in high esteem by the Roman people. This is significant because it demonstrates that the Roman people were willing to support Titus even after he had been defeated in battle. Ultimately, this willingness to support Titus and Vespasian demonstrates the strength of the Roman state even in times of crisis.

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The relief of the apotheosis of Titus is a Roman relief panel that originally decorated the Arch of Titus in Rome. The relief depicts Titus being crowned by the Roman god Jupiter after his victory over the Judeans in the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE.

The Spoils of Jerusalem Relief is a sculptural relief panel on the Arch of Titus showing Titus in a triumphal four-horse chariot, with slaves and booty surrounding him. The relief is significant not only for its artistic value, but also for its historical value; it is one of the few surviving depictions of the Roman sack of Jerusalem.

During the 11th century, the arch was integrated into a fort by the Frangipani family in Rome, resulting in damage to the panel reliefs that are still noticeable today.

In 1821, Giuseppe Valadier embraced a momentous modification of the structure. The western side of the attic got another engraving during this stage of restoration. Canaletto's popular painting of the arch gives a perspective on the landmark's condition preceding Valadier's restoration.

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