Arch of Titus

Welcome to the Arch of Titus, one of the most significant and evocative monuments of the Roman Empire. Standing at the highest point of the Via Sacra, the 'Sacred Way,' this triumphal arch was built in 81 AD by the Emperor…

Look up at the large rectangular attic of the arch. Here, you will see a beautifully carved Latin inscription that still speaks clearly after two millennia. …

Now, walk into the archway and look at the relief on the southern side (to your left if facing the Colosseum). This is perhaps the most famous depiction of the spoils of war in existence. …

Turn to face the opposite relief, on the northern interior wall. Here, we see the Emperor Titus himself in his triumphal chariot, pulled by four horses—the famous 'quadriga'. …

Look directly up into the center of the arch’s vault. Tucked away in a square panel, or 'coffer,' is a small but vital scene: the Apotheosis of Titus. …

As you walk around the exterior, you may notice that the edges of the arch look smoother and simpler than the ornate central portion. This is because the Arch of Titus underwent a massive restoration in the early 19th century. …

For nearly two thousand years, this arch has held a complex and often painful significance for the Jewish people. It stood as a monument to the destruction of their holiest site and the beginning of the long Diaspora. …

As we conclude our visit to the Arch of Titus, we are left with a powerful image of the endurance of history. This single span of marble has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the transformation of religions, and the birth…