
The longer version (because trust me, you don’t ever want me to give you the “long version” of anything) is that it’s something God said to make.Īnd God was really, really specific on this. So what is a menorah, exactly? Well, it’s a candlestick. Of course, he also claims Titus was really upset by this and totally didn’t want to do it, so maybe we shouldn’t take everything at face value. Josephus claims there were 500 crucifixions in a day. ”…they were first whipped, and then tormented with all sorts of tortures, before they died, and were then crucified before the wall of the city.” He also details what the Romans did to the Jews who attempted to flee Jerusalem: One especially disturbing event told by Josephus involves a woman who cooked and ate her own child. Now, I’m certainly not a siege expert - and I’m sure there’s some who exist - but I think this would probably rank on a “Top 10 Wildest Sieges” YouTube video.Īmong the lowlights, infighting among rebel leaders led to the burning of food storage in an effort to force people to fight. This continued for seven months, and was one of the most bizarre and horrific sieges in human history. Josephus claims the city held over a million people, most of whom were trapped there after coming to the city for Passover. Titus eventually laid siege to Jerusalem. He handed his old job off to his son Titus - the guy the arch we’re talking about was named after. Then Nero took his own life, leading to Vespasian taking the throne. The Roman General Vespasian was in charge of squashing the rebellion, and was slowly making his way through the area. It’s crazy to think about what’s often considered one of the largest and most formidable military powers in history getting repeatedly embarrassed by some Jewish rebels, but that’s what happened.
Arch of titus table of showbread crack#
Rome under Emperor Nero would crack down, thinking they’d scare the Jews into compliance - but it often had the opposite effect. But sometimes, a local Roman leader or other Roman citizens would disrespect those traditions, and Jews didn’t take kindly to that. They had their own religion and their own traditions, which tended to be tolerated by Rome. I think it’s fair to say the Jews didn’t really care to play by Roman rules. As much as I tend to ramble, I’m not sure anyone would sit still for that.
Arch of titus table of showbread full#
In this process, sections of the exterior were rebuilt in travertine instead of marble, so that it could be distinguished from the original. Last but not least, it should be mentioned that the Arch of Titus served as a model for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.Now, I’m not going to give a full account of the Jewish War. In the 11th century, the Arch of Titus was integrated into a fortress, built by the Frangipani family, which contributed to the preservation of the monument.

The reliefs were also colored and the arch was crowned by a bronze quadriga.

The original bronze inscription in the decorative strip reads “The Roman Senate and the people to the deified Titus, Vespasian Augustus, son of the deified Vespasian”. The other panel shows Titus in a chariot accompanied by the goddess Victoria and the goddess Roma. One shows the triumphal procession with the spoils from the second Temple of Jerusalem – the menorah, the silver trumpets and the table of showbread. On the inside of the arch, 15 meters high, there are two panels with reliefs. The arch was inaugurated in 85 AD with great festivities. Emperor Domitian, Titus’ brother and successor, commissioned the construction of the Arch of Titus in the same year, both to honor his brother and to commemorate the victory in the Jewish War. In 70 AD, Titus conquered Jerusalem with four legions, and with the fall of the fortress of Masada in 72 AD, the rebellion was completely put down. In 79 AD Titus became emperor of the Roman Empire, but died just two years later. The popular emperor was soon after elevated to the status of god by the Roman Senate. The history of the Arc de Triomphe goes back to Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, who was sent to the province of Judea to put down an uprising of Jewish Zealots against the Roman occupation. The single-gate triumphal arch stands at the highest point of Via Sacra, which leads from the Roman Forum to the Colosseum, and is part of the archaeological site of the Roman Forum. The Arch of Titus is the oldest surviving triumphal arch of ancient Rome and one of three remaining imperial triumphal arches, along with the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Septimius Severus. Essentials about the Arch of Titus in brief
