The last emperor in the first Roman imperial dynasty was the Julio-Claudian Emperor Nero. During his reign, he sent his competent general Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Vespasian) to suppress the Jewish revolt (A.D. 66-70). By the year 68, most of Judaea had been recovered (BBC Vespasian). On June 9, Nero committed assisted suicide. Vespasian left his eldest son, Titus, in Judaea while he went home to Rome (to be precise, he was born in Italy, at Falacrina near Sabine Reate [DIR Vespasian] but not in Rome) where he eventually re-established stable government when he became emperor, the first of the Flavian Dynasty. In August of A.D. 70, Titus took Jerusalem and destroyed the temple.
The Arch of Ttitus commemorates this victory.
Located in the Roman Forum at the highest point on the Via Sacra, the Arch of Titus (Arcus Titi) is the oldest surviving arch in Rome. It was built to celebrate Titus' victory in Jerusalem, but Titus died before it could be finished. Titus' brother Domitian dedicated the Pentelic marble monument (13.5m wide, 15.4m high, and 4.75m deep; with archway 8.3x5.36m) in A.D. 85, 4 years after Titus' death. There was originally a bronze quadriga on the top. The arch was damaged and then rebuilt/restored in 1822. Napoleon commissioned triumphal arches made in imitation of the Arch of Titus.
Flavian Emperors
- Vespasian (r. A.D. 69-79)
- Titus (r. A.D. 79-81)
- Domitian (r. A.D. 81-96)
Sources:
