Daily Updates
Week Ten: 22 November
22 November. Kyle Jazwa Reporting
The Arch of Titus
The Arch of Titus, according to most scholars, dates to early in Domitian's reign and is located on the Velia Hill by the Via Sacra. This arch is made of Pentelic marble and was erected to commemorate Titus's joint triumph with his father, Vespasian, over the province of Judaea in 70-71 AD. This arch stands 15.4 meters tall, is 13.5 meters wide and 4.75 m deep. Because of destruction to this arch through the centuries, only the composite columns (a column with both Ionic and Corinthian features), the spandrels containing winged victories holding war trophies, the attic inscription, part of the frieze depicting a triumph, and the interior of the bay to the arch remain. The most important aspects of this arch are the three scenes on the interior of the arch. At the apex of the vault's curve, is a scene of Titus on the back of an eagle being flown to heaven in a scene of apotheosis, thus indicating that this arch was erected after Titus's death. On the walls of the interior piers are two reliefs, carved in a style called "Illusionism," in which scenes of motion are rendered very realistically. In the spoils scene on the southern end, a group of slaves bear the spoils from war, including the great Menorah and the trumpets of the sons Aaron, on their backs through a triumphal arch. The arch is rendered in three-quarter view and it seems as if the procession is actually moving through the arch in triumphal procession towards the Capitoline Hill. Moreover, the upper third of the reliefs are left empty of human figures, indicating real space. The opposite relief (north) depicts Titus being crowned by a winged victory on a chariot. The chariot is led by Roma, as the emperor is accompanied by 12 lictors and the Genius Populi Romani and Genius Senatus. This relief is one of the first pieces of monumental relief sculpture to depict both mortals and gods together on the same relief. The Arch of Septimius Severus The Arch of Septimius Severus was erected in 203 AD in honor of Septimius Severus's tenth anniversary since he took power. The arch is in triumph of his victory over the Parthians in 197 AD, in which after successive battles at Nisibis, Seleucia, Edessa, and Babylon, he finally took the capital of Ctesiphon and annexed the territories of Mesopotamia and Assyria. For this, he took the name, Arabicus Adiabenicus Parthicus. The arch (20.88 m high, 23.27 m wide and 11.20 m deep) is made of travertine and brick and is revetted with Pentelic marble. On the central spandrels of this triple bay arch are representations of winged victories with allegories of the four seasons at their feet. On the minor spandrels, depictions of fluvial allegories are carved; these all are interpreted that Septimius Severus brings victory at all times of year and to all places. The arch is located on the northeast corner of the forum, across from the Parthian Arch of Tiberius and diagonally across the forum from the Parthian Arch of Augustus, effectively associating Septimius Severus with these two Julio-Claudian emperors who also fought in Parthia. Non-functional columns adorn the exterior and rest upon bases carved with figures of Roman soldiers escorting Parthian prisoners. Above each minor bay is a carved panel, commemorating an individual battle in the war. The first battle commemorates Nisibia, the second Edessa, the third Seleucia and Babylon and the last the final victory at Ctesiphon. More important than the theme of each panel are the stylistic elements. Reminiscent of the column of Marcus Aurelius, each panel has multiple levels with different ground levels and the emperor is represented multiple times on each panel as the central figure in most scenes. However, the figures are represented much shorter and stubbier than the classical form. This serves as the first step towards Christian and Byzantine art and the breakdown of the classical tradition.
The Arch of Titus viewed from the Forum.
A schematic plan of the Arch of Titus
The Arch of Titus. The original spandrels, decorative frieze and composite columns are intact on the Colosseum side of the arch.
The Arch of Titus. The apotheosis scene of Titus on the Arch of Titus.
The spoils scene on the Arch of Titus.
The Procession scene on the Arch of Titus.
The Arch of Septimius Severus as viewed from the Forum
A schematic representation of the Arch of Septimius Severus ( 1: attic level inscription; 2: relief panels; 3: spandrels; 4: keystones; 5: frieze; 6: column bases).
The Arch of Septimius Severus as view from the Capitoline Hill. Represented is the attic inscription, spandrels, and columns.
A panel on the Arch of Septimius Severus representing the Battle for Seleucia and Babylon on the lower half. In the upper half, the cities and barbarians surrender to Septimius Severus.
A column base on the Arch of Septimius Severus.