Arco di Tito

The Triumphal Arch of Titus is an ancient architectural monument located in the center of Rome’s historic built-up area. The one-bay arch was erected in 81 AD and became a classic of Roman architecture. It served as a prototype for many triumphal arches that appeared later in different countries of the world.

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Highlights

In Roman times, the laconic and solemn arch was one of the decorations of the forum. It was erected in order to immortalize in stone the military victories of the Roman legions, which were led by Emperor Titus Vespasian. True, these victories were considered outstanding only by the Romans themselves, and in world history the memory of the military actions in Judea was preserved as a bloody massacre, because only at the siege and capture of Jerusalem killed more than 1.1 million people.

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It is noteworthy that in 81 A.D. the Roman Senate erected another three-span arch in honor of Emperor Titus. It was located in the eastern part of the famous hippodrome Circus Maximus. However, this structure has not survived.

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Thanks to the labor of restorers, the one-span Triumphal Arch looks the same as it did 2,000 years ago. It lacks only the bronze statue of Titus himself on a quadriga, which originally adorned the upper part of the monument. On one side of the archway you can see the majestic Colosseum, and on the other – the ruins of the Roman Forum. Near the ancient arch you can see the remains of the foundations of the buildings where, in Roman times, they conducted trade and held meetings of citizens.

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Finding the Arch of Titus is not difficult. It rises near the Colosseum, at the end of the Sacred Road or Via Sacra, which connects the Capitoline and Palatine hills. For tourists, the ancient monument is accessible around the clock.

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The Judean War

In 66 AD, a rebellion against the Romans broke out in the Roman province of Judea. At first the rebels were successful, but soon Vespasian was sent to Judea to quell the revolt. The Roman commander managed to quickly capture Galilee and take the leader of the rebels – Josephus Flavius, who later described the events in a multi-volume work “The Jewish War.”

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In 69 Vespasian received the title of emperor and returned to Rome. His son Tinus Flavius Vespasianus remained in command of the Roman legions. Roman armies led a siege of Jerusalem within 5 months, and during fighting in city there was a terrible famine. When Titus took the capital of Judea, he looted and burned it. The Romans destroyed the main Jewish sanctuary, the great temple of Jerusalem, and stolen valuables were taken to Rome. On their return home, Titus and his brother Domitian were honored with great honors.

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History of Titus’ Arc of Triumph in Rome

Triumphal arches in Rome began to be built back in the days of the Republic. Triumph awaited the victors who passed through the stone gates – honor and adoration of the citizens of Rome, fame and praise, and a long memory of their military success. Titus’ triumphal arch was built by his brother, the Roman Emperor Domitian, shortly after Titus Vespasian died. It was intended to commemorate the victory of Rome’s forces in the Jerusalem War.

The place where the arch was placed is notable. In 64 A.D. there was a great fire in central Rome, and afterward a large palace and park for Emperor Nero began to be built on the wasteland near Palatine Hill. The luxurious “Golden House” wanted to make the largest imperial residence in Europe. But these plans were not destined to come true. Four years later, Nero died, the palace was abandoned, and during the reign of Titus, it burned during a fire. Instead of the palace, the territory was built up with public buildings, one of which was the Arc de Triomphe of Titus.

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In the Middle Ages, the ancient monument was part of a fortress building, and then part of the arch was destroyed. In 1821, the Italian architect Giuseppe Valadier restored the Arch of Titus Triumphalis. To make the elements he reconstructed differ from the original construction, the architect made them from travertine and somewhat simplified the shape of the monument.

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What the Arch of Titus looks like today

The Triumphal Arch of Emperor Titus is made of white marble brought to Rome from central Greece. It rises to a height of 15.4 meters and is 13.5 meters wide. The ancient arch has a cylindrical vault that surrounds an opening 5.33 meters wide and 4.75 meters deep. Two figures of the winged goddess Victoria are placed in the corners, and there are two semi-columns of composite order each to the right and left of the aisle.

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Inside the passage is two bas-reliefs. One of them depicts Emperor Titus driving a quadriga. Interestingly, his chariot is held by the goddess Roma herself. The other bas-relief shows a solemn procession of Romans with the trophies captured in Jerusalem. On this sculptural composition is especially distinguished seven-barrel lamp – menorah. In addition, a bas-relief depicting the moment of Titus’ apotheosis can be seen on the Arc de Triomphe, showing the emperor riding an eagle after his death and being carried away to the new world.

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On the side of the forum is a dedicatory inscription in Latin. It states that the Senate and the people of Rome dedicate the arch to Titus Vespasian Augustus. After the restoration in 1821, another text was inscribed next to it, in the name of Pope Pius VII. The new inscription tells that the monument was weathered by time and was restored, thanks to the pontiff.

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How to get there

The Triumphal Arch of Titus is located in the southeast of the Roman Forum. It can be reached by subway: take line B to the Colosseo station. In addition, buses number 51, 75, 85, 87, 117 and N2 run to the Colosseum.

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