Triumphal Arch of Titus
The Triumphal Arch of Titus in the Italian capital is considered the ancestor of all subsequent triumphal arches, not only in Italy, but also around the world. This is the pride of the country. By the way, the famous arch in Paris is also descended from this ancient Italian structure.
The story of the Arc de Triomphe of Titus
The Triumphal Arch of Titus is located at the entrance to the Roman Forum, on the border of the Old Road and was erected in honor of Titus Flavius, who captured Jerusalem. However, the victor himself did not live to see its opening: in the 11 years that passed from the moment of its planning to the complete completion of the work, the emperor managed to die. But his ashes were buried in the depths of the structure, which even in those days was considered a very honorable and extremely rare phenomenon.
It is believed that the captive Jews were engaged in the construction of the Triumphal Arch of Titus, and the magnificent structure itself is located on the site of the former "Golden Palace" of Nero, destroyed by representatives of the Flavian family. For a long time, the arch was decorated with statues of Titus and the goddess Victoria standing on a Roman chariot, but over the past centuries they disappeared in an unknown direction.
In the Middle Ages, the arch was slightly altered: in those days it was part of the defensive line, and therefore had to repel the onslaught of enemies. During one of the battles for the Eternal City, part of the arch was destroyed. The Triumphal Arch of Titus was reconstructed only in 1821, decorated with travertine, while the arch was originally famous for its charming white marble, quarried in Attica. It is noteworthy that during the restoration, the building was almost completely dismantled and reassembled.
Description
The majestic structure of the Triumphal Arch of Titus is an open gate through which particularly distinguished generals passed with honor.
The laconic shapes of the arch may seem too boring and uninteresting to some at first glance. But it is precisely in this emphasized modesty that the special solemnity of the structure is manifested, drawing attention to the bas-reliefs of the architectural masterpiece. The stone is carved with scenes of the triumphal procession of the commander, led by the patroness of Rome herself, the transfer of captured treasures (including a giant seven-candle candlestick), Titus, on whose head the goddess of Victory puts a laurel wreath, the dying commander, who is reborn into a deity and ascends to Heaven with a huge eagle.
The height of the Arc de Triomphe of Titus is more than 15 meters, the width is 13.5 meters. The charming half-columns framing the facade are the very first example of composite art.
Two dedicatory inscriptions on both sides of the arch express gratitude to Titus Vespasian Augustus and Pope Pius VII, who ordered the restoration of the building to its original beauty and grandeur. Of course, the second inscription appeared much later, during the restoration.
