Archeologists have discovered large
Luna marble fragments belonging to a lesser-known Arch of Titus
erected by the Roman Senate at the east end of the Circus
Maximus in 81 AD, the year of the emperor's death, officials
said Thursday.
The arch commemorating Titus' victories in the first
Jewish-Roman war of 66-73 AD was 17 meters wide by 15 meters
deep, with columns about 10 meters tall.
Archeologists have so far uncovered its travertine marble
paving, three frontal plinths, and part of the fourth column's
plinth.
The triple arch surmounted by a bronze four-horse chariot
had a staircase descending to the Circus Maximus, its facade
decorated with four free-standing columns.
Triumphal processions honoring victorious generals or
emperors would parade around the Circus to ovations from the
crowds, then pass under the arch and continue on to the Temple
of Jupiter Capitolinus - the most important temple in ancient
Rome, located on the Capitoline Hill.
A better-known Arch of Titus standing in the Roman Forum
was built in 82 AD by the Emperor Domitian in memory of his
older brother, Titus, one year after his death.
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