Arch of Titus
The Arch of Titus was built at one end of the Roman Forum in the 80's AD to remind people about the Emperor Titus' victories in the war against the Jews in Israel. It is part marble and part travertine.
Titus was actually already dead when the arch was built, but Titus' younger brother Domitian was emperor, and he wanted people to remember his brother Titus. So the inscription has Titus' name on it. (It says, the Senate and the People of Rome, to the Divine Titus, son of the Divine Vespasian, Vespasian Augustus). The letters were originally picked out in shining bronze letters, but the bronze has been stolen away and melted down.
More about the Arch of Titus (page 2)
To find out more about the Arch of Titus, check out these books from Amazon.com or from your library:
The Colosseum & the Roman Forum, by Martyn Whittock (2002). For kids.
The Roman Forum, by Michael Grant (1970). Out of date, but Michael Grant is an entertaining writer with a simple style which teenagers may appreciate.
Ancient Roman Art, by Susie Hodge (1998). For kids.
Roman Art: Romulus to Constantine, by Nancy and Andrew Ramage (4th Edition 2004). The standard textbook.
