Ancient and Modern Inscriptions on the Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus, located in the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy, is a triumphal arch that was erected in the 1st century AD to commemorate the victories of the Roman Emperor Titus, particularly his conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It is not only a symbol of Roman military triumph but also a fascinating historical monument that bears inscriptions from both ancient and modern periods. Here's a description of the ancient and modern inscriptions on the Arch of Titus:

Ancient Inscriptions:

Dedication Inscription:
- The primary ancient inscription on the Arch of Titus is the dedicatory inscription. This Latin inscription, carved into the attic of the arch, reads: "SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS DIVO TITO DIVI VESPASIANI F(ilio) VESPASIANO AVGVSTO" ("The Senate and People of Rome [dedicate this] to the divine Titus Vespasianus Augustus, son of the divine Vespasian").
- This inscription celebrates the deification of Titus and the dedication of the arch in his honor by the Senate and the Roman people. It is a common formula used for Roman triumphal arches.

Modern Inscriptions:

Modern Plaques:
- On the interior of the Arch of Titus, there are modern plaques with inscriptions in Italian and Latin. These plaques were added in the 19th century by Pope Pius VII during the restoration of the arch.
- One of these plaques commemorates the restoration work done on the arch during the papal reign of Pius VII in 1821. It expresses gratitude for the preservation of this historic monument.
- Another plaque commemorates the removal of a tree that had grown through the arch and caused damage. It reads, "PIUS VII PONTIFEX MAXIMUS OBSTACULIS DEPOSITIS COMMODIS COMMODA RESTITVIT."

Historical Significance:

The Arch of Titus is historically significant not only for its inscriptions but also for its portrayal of Roman triumph and the military conquest of Jerusalem. The relief panels on the inner side of the arch depict scenes of Roman soldiers carrying away the spoils from the Second Temple in Jerusalem, including the golden Menorah (candelabrum).
These reliefs provide valuable visual evidence of historical events and serve as a record of the Roman victory in Judea.

In summary, the Arch of Titus bears both ancient Latin inscriptions commemorating the deification of Titus and the arch's dedication, as well as modern plaques added during a 19th-century restoration. This architectural masterpiece stands as a symbol of Roman power and achievement, and its inscriptions and reliefs provide important historical and cultural insights into the Roman Empire.