07_07_09_Arch of Titus

ROMAN FORUM The Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus which is located in the Forum was built from marble around 80 A.D. by Domintian. The construction took place during the Roman Empire. Domintian located the arch at the southeastern end of the Forum. It was and still is used as the eastern entrance and exit. Today we view the reconstructed arch done by Pius VII in the early 19th Century. On the inside there are depictions of Titus and Vespasian, Domatians father and brother celebrating their victory at war with Judea. There is another sculpted picture which represents the procession of the merry citizens in their triumph. There are four columns attached to both the front and the backside of the arch. There is an inscription on the front which dedicates the arch to his brother and father from the people and senate of Rome. The outside of the arch is much more plain then the intricately designed inside. The Arch of Titus is to honor Titus and Vespasian for their victory in the war against Judea. Jewish people saw the arch as a sign of loss and refused to walk under it when entering or leaving the forum. However, in 1948 the Jewish people revived the state of Israel and the feelings of dismay vanished. Eighteen-hundred sixty eight years after the creation Jewish people began to visit the arch in a celebratory manner. The reversal of reaction was due to the return of their homeland. I chose this specific piece of work due to its prominence and placement in the forum. This is a perfect example of how the Romans built many structures in celebration of themselves. At the time the arch was built I believe it bestowed a proud feeling and proved Rome’s power in the world.
Krystyna Lijek, Survey of Art and Architecture in Italy, St. John’s University