The Arch of Titus stands on the Via Sacra in Rome’s Roman Forum, near the Colosseum. Built under Emperor Domitian in honour of his brother Titus, it commemorates the Roman victory in the Jewish War and the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Look closely at the reliefs inside the arch: one shows soldiers carrying treasures from the Jerusalem Temple, including a seven-branched Menorah; another depicts Titus in a triumphal chariot. Pause here as you walk between the Colosseum and the Forum.
A monument to Titus
The arch was erected around 81 CE by Domitian, Titus’s younger brother, after Titus’s death. It honours Titus and commemorates the Roman victory in the Jewish War, which culminated in the capture of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Titus and his father, Vespasian, led the campaign.
The Via Sacra was the main road through ancient Rome. The arch stands on it near the southeastern side of the Forum, where the road meets the route from the Colosseum. Its position places it along a natural approach to the Forum, rather than apart from the surrounding ruins.
The reliefs inside the arch
Two carved panels occupy the inner passage. One depicts Roman soldiers carrying spoils taken from the Jerusalem Temple. Among the objects are a seven-branched Menorah, a golden table and silver trumpets. The panel is a rare visual record of Temple objects from antiquity, as well as an image of the Roman victory and its consequences.
The other relief shows Titus in a four-horse chariot. Roma, the goddess associated with Rome, drives it, while Victoria places a laurel crown on the emperor. Above the passage, a scene in the coffered vault shows Titus being carried toward heaven by an eagle, a reference to his deification after death.
Details to look for
Take a moment to compare the two panels rather than viewing the arch only from the outside. The procession with the captured objects records the aftermath of the campaign; the chariot scene presents Titus’s triumph. Together, the carvings tie the monument to both military victory and the honours given to the emperor.
The arch is also notable for its influence on later monuments. Its form helped establish a model used by triumphal arches built in later centuries, including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The Menorah depicted here has also become an enduring symbol: its design was used as the model for the emblem of the State of Israel.
FAQ
Where is the Arch of Titus?
It is on the Via Sacra in the Roman Forum, near the Colosseum.
What do the reliefs on the Arch of Titus show?
One panel shows Roman soldiers carrying Temple treasures from Jerusalem, including the Menorah. Another depicts Titus in a triumphal chariot.
When was the Arch of Titus built?
It was erected around 81 CE under Emperor Domitian, in honour of his brother Titus.
Can you visit the Arch of Titus with the Roman Forum?
The arch stands within the Roman Forum area. The Forum and Palatine Hill can be combined with a visit to the Colosseum.
