Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus is located at the eastern most side of the Roman forum.

The inscription on the arch reads: "The senate and the people of Rome,
to the divine Titus, son of the divine Vespasian, by Vespasian Augustus."

The Arch of Titus is also carved with reliefs commemorating the victory
over the Jews.Titus is depicted riding in a chariot driven by Roma, deified Rome.

Part of the spoils of war carried by Titus's soldiers,
including the menorah, looted from the Temple

Josephus provides an account of Titus's triumphal procession, which the Arch of Titus depicts and celebrates: "The spoils in general were borne in promiscuous heaps; but conspicuous above all stood out those captured in the Temple at Jerusalem. These consisted of a golden table, many talents in weight, and a lampstand, likewise made of gold, but constructed on a different pattern from those we use in ordinary life. Affixed to a pedestal was a central shaft, from which there extended slender branches, arranged trident-fashion, a wrought lamp being attached to the extemity of each branch; of these there were seven, indicating the honor paid to the number among the Jews. After these, and last of all the spoils, was carried a copy of the Jewish Law" (War 7.148-50).