The Arch of Titus was a triumphal arch, an arch built to celebrate victory, usually relating to war. It was one of the products of the Flavian building projects and features one of Domitian’s favorite themes: the deification of his father and late brother, emperors Vespasian and Titus. It was built to commemorate Titus’s taking of Jerusalem. It was built on the highest point on the Via Sacra and would be easily viewable in public areas, such as the Roman Forum. The arch itself has one passageway and is constructed with fluted columns, and the spandrel of the arch has reliefs of the goddess Victory. The inscription at the top reads “THE SENATE AND PEOPLE OF ROME DEDICATED THIS ARCH TO THE DEIFIED TITUS VESPASIANUS AUGUSTUS, SON OF THE DEIFIED VESPASIAN.” The deep relief in the corridor of the arch itself shows the procession of treasures and spoils of war being carried back from Jerusalem. Titus is depicted alongside two allegorical figures. He is being crowned by Victory and led into the city by Rome, as personified by a goddess . Since Titus and Domitian reportedly did not have the best brotherly relationship (in fact, there are rumors that Domitian allegedly poisoned Titus in order to become emperor), one might wonder why he would go to such lengths to construct a magnificent arch in honor of his brother. Although Domitian may not have loved his brother, the Roman people most definitely loved him and the Flavian lineage. Building this arch reaffirmed the greatness of the Flavian lineage.
The Arch of Titus
The inscription at the top of the arch dedicating it to Titus.
Relief of Titus being led into the city after the taking of Jerusalem inside the arch.
Images from
http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/titus/titus.html
Sources:
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/romanurbs/archtitus.html
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/kelsey/galleries/Exhibits/Empire2/intro/flavians.html