One of the most striking uses of architecture for glorification of a Roman emperor is the Arch of Titus. Built specifically upon the highest point of the Via Sacra, or Sacred Road, this arch is a lasting monument to the glorification of Titus. The Arch of Titus was built by Emperor Domitian to honor the capture and siege of Jerusalem by Titus and his apotheosis, or deification. This arch is an outstanding example of one of the most celebrated ways used by the Romans to express the honor and glory of their emperors.
The Arch of Titus is known for its depictions of the spoils brought back to Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem. As a result of the Jewish attacks on Roman installations and the start of a revolt against Roman rule in 66 CE, the Roman Emperor Nero granted Vespasian a special command in the East to be responsible for putting down this revolt. In response to the crisis, Nero placed the seven legions in Syria under Vespasian’s authority and named Titus, one of Vespasian’s sons, as legate of the 15th Legion of Apollo.
Titus’s role in the crushing of the Jewish revolt is hard to discern. Most of the information regarding his actions comes from the Jewish Wars by Flavius Josephus, a Jew with a strong Roman bias, who consistently portrayed Titus in a highly favorable light. Nonetheless, some of the claims of Josephus are backed up by Suetonius. While it is not clear exactly how successful Titus’s actions may have been, it is generally agreed that he did actively help in conquering two major rebel towns, Tarichaeae and Gamla. Together with his other battles and his siege of Jerusalem, Titus portrayed the image of a brave and successful military leader.
With the death of Nero in 68 CE, Vespasian left Judea in the m...
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...ntentional placement at the highest point of the Via Sacra. The Arch of Titus thus stands to this day, but instead of representing the glory and might of the Roman Empire, it serves as a remainder that no nation lasts forever.
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Suetonius. Lives of the Caesars. Trans. Catharine Edwards. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000
T.J. Cornell, The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC), London and New York: Routledge, 1995
Livy begins early in establishing the basic characteristics of Romulus, arguably the most notable Roman in history. Romulus and his brother Remus were “energetic young men, who [were]… strengthened… in body and spirit.” (Livy 9). Livy then describes the clash of these attributes between the two brothers, as Romulus and Remus battle for supremacy. “From a war of words, anger turned them to bloodshed. In the heat of the melee, Remus met his death.” (Livy 11). Livy wastes no time in establishing the brutal tradition of war that helped to extend the Roman Empire. Romulus came to power because of force, and furthered his rule by the same means: “By brute force and without strategy the Roman king prevailed, using the might of his veteran army alone.” (Livy 20). This overwhelm...
Over the span of five-hundred years, the Roman Republic grew to be the most dominant force in the early Western world. As the Republic continued to grow around the year 47 B.C it began to go through some changes with the rise of Julius Caesar and the degeneration of the first triumvirate. Caesar sought to bring Rome to an even greater glory but many in the Senate believed that he had abused his power, viewing his rule more as a dictatorship. The Senate desired that Rome continued to run as a republic. Though Rome continued to be glorified, the rule of Caesar Octavian Augustus finally converted Rome to an Empire after many years of civil war. Examining a few selections from a few ancient authors, insight is provided as to how the republic fell and what the result was because of this.
Morey, William C. "Outlines of Roman History, Chapter 26." Outlines of Roman History, Chapter 26. American Book Company, 1901. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. .
Livius, Titus. The Early History of Rome. Trans. Aubrey De Sélincourt. London: Penguin Group, 2002. N. pag. Print.
Wilson, R.J.A. “Roman Art and Architecture.” Oxford Illustrated History. Oxford U. Press, 1988. pp. 361-399
As the story goes, Rome was founding in 753 B.C. by two brothers Remus and Romulus who were raised by wolves. The two brothers started fighting over the leadership of the land. Eventually Romulus killed Remus and took control own his own. The city was only a small settlement at that time. As the civilization grew, the Etruscans took over. The Romans drove out the Etruscans in 509 B.C. By this time Rome had become a city. As the empire came to its peak it included lands throughout the Mediterranean world. Rome had first expanded into other parts of Italy and neighboring places during the Roman Republic, but made wider conquests and made a strong political power for these lands. In 44 BC Gaius Julius Caesar, the Roman leader who ruled the Roman Republic as a dictator was assassinated. Rome descended into more than ten years of civil war. After years of civil war, Caesar's heir Gaius Octavius (also known as Octavian) defeated his last rivals. In 27 B.C. the Senate gave him the name Augustus, meaning the exalted or holy one. In this way Augustus established the monarchy that became known as the Roman Empire. The Roman Republic, which lasted nearly 500 years, did not exist anymore. The emperor Augustus reigned from 27 BC to AD 14 and ruled with great power. He had reestabl...
Marcel Le Glay, Jean-Louis Voisin, Yann Le Bohec. A History of Rome. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
The Legend said that there were two twin demigod boys who were orphaned, but were nursed by a she-wolf. At the age of 6 or 7, the two boys, Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome, but Romulus became angry after many arguments of who would rule, and where Rome would be, so murdered his brother. This is when he became sole ruler and King, and when the founding of Rome was traditionally set, 753 BC. Although this story is a legend, it gives us great insight into the Roman Republic. By Romulus the legend saying that the Seven Hills of Rome are united by fratricide, it implies that Rome will face many difficulties because it is cursed by the killing. This entire legend is an early expression of Roman religion. This legend ultimately reminded the people of Rome just how deadly and dangerous fighting or disputing over a political system could
Kleiner, Fred S. A History of Roman Art. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.
1)De, Selincourt Aubrey. Livy, the Early History of Rome: Book I - V of the History of Rome from Its Foundation. London: Penguin, 1960. Print.
The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC after the ruling Tarquins abused their extensive power as monarchs and were overthrown. The goal of the Roman Republic was to have a strong government, governed equally by the patricians and the plebians, and to avoid another Roman Monarchy. For years Rome was guided by great men, such as Cincinnatus and Scipio Africanus, who led the Republic through hard times, conquering such enemies as the Etruscans and the Carthaginians. Large-scale war united Roman society in its common goals. However, after Scipio’s victory at Zama in 202 BC, a new Roman world began to take shape. Roman soldiers returned home from their victory to find that they could not pay for their farms, becoming “squatters” on their own lands after having to sell them to richer men. The Senate became corrupted, and despite the Gracchi brothers’ best efforts, the rich patricians soon monopolized nearly all aspects of the Republic, from trading and “farming” to governing the people. After marching on Rome, Sulla became dictator in 82 BC. After Sulla, the First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar, owned virtually all power in Rome, yet each had his own desire to defeat the other two and become Emperor. When Crassus died in battle, Caesar had his chance. He defeated Pompey and marched on Rome, victorious. After declaring himself Dictator for Life, Caesar was assassinated, and another Civ...
The initial population of Rome consisted of immigrants, refugees and fugitives from neighboring lands. Romulus took in these societal rejects and offered them a new starts; despite settling in the foreign land of a new city, these people accepted Romulus and the laws he laid out for them. These people were “the first step to [Rome’s] future greatness”(pg. 40). Along with laws, Romulus formed a means of governing the population through the one hundred-member senate based on patre status. Early attempts at alliances did not pan out, but after Rome’s victory over Veii, a truce was formed. Feasibly, Romulus’ most notable acts as the leader of Rome revolved around his military command. The victory over Caenina marked Rome’s first of many; Rome managed to defeat well-established cities like Antemnae, Sabine, and Fidenae, despite only being in its early stages. Under Romulus, the Roman army fought on, even though retreat proved to be the better option at times. The drive and strength of such a young force sealed the dominance of Rome for years to
Favro, Diane G.. The urban image of Augustan Rome. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. (266)
Boëthius, A., Ling, R., & Rasmussen, T. (1978). Etruscan and early Roman architecture. New Haven: Yale University Press.