Another Temple, Another Vessel

Abstract

Our understanding of the Arch of Titus and its representation of the temple vessels has been influenced deeply by Josephus’s account of the triumphal procession in Rome following the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. This article presents a more Romanist view of the circumstances and meaning behind the Arch of Titus with the aim of merging them with the prevailing interpretations of the monument that lean more heavily on Josephus’s account. The author argues that overreliance on Josephus has created distortions in how we interpret the meaning and importance of the imperial triumph, the Arch of Titus, and the temple vessels. While these vessels had singular meaning for Judaism, these vessels did not have the same significance culturally or religiously in Rome. Alternatively, it is suggested that the Arch represented restoration and economic revival for a new dynasty.