Arco di Tito

The Arch of Titus is a triumphal arch with a single archway, located on the northern slopes of the Palatine, in the western part of the Forum of Rome. Masterpiece of Roman art, is the symbol of the time Flavia, erected in memory of the Jewish War fought by Tito in Galilee. In the Middle Ages the Arch was incorporated into the Frangipane Fortress, and is represented in numerous prints crowned with battlements brick. The restoration of 1823 freed it from Medieval structure. The Arch of Titus departs from the arches of the Augustan age to the size more compact and robust, with the first example in Rome's definitely composite capital. Built in square work of Pentelic marble, it stands on a plinth in travertine and has an inner core in cement. On both sides of the Arch it is framed by half-columns with fluted shafts and composite capitals, which support an entablature with frieze. The frieze, with stubby figures very high relief, is a scene of sacrifice depicted in the style most typically Roman. The passage of time has an unequaled coffered decoration. The most interesting findings are the two panels that decorate the sides of the Arch, commemorating two stages of the triumph of Titus after the capture of Jerusalem, in 70. The right panel (the north side) shows the Emperor on a triumphal chariot, crowned by Victory. On the left side (south) is the entrance to the parade depicted in Port Triumphalis, which is depicted on the far right in foreshortened perspective. The viewer has the feeling of being surrounded, almost touched by the parade, a trend that will be further developed in the antoninianus "Baroque", from the third century onwards.