On the 8th of September, 70 A.D., Herod’s palace was captured and Jerusalem was plundered by Titus Caesar Vespasianus. I’ve written about a few Roman Emperors, such as Nero and Commodus, so let’s take a look at Titus.
Titus Caesar Vespasianus, commonly known as Titus, was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 79 to 81 AD. Born on December 30, 39 AD, Titus was the elder son of Emperor Vespasian and the first member of the Flavian dynasty to succeed his father directly. His reign, albeit short, was marked by notable events, including the completion of the Colosseum and, most prominently, his role in the Siege and subsequent plunder of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Titus’s early life was shaped by his distinguished heritage and rigorous education. He was groomed in the traditional Roman way, receiving training in rhetoric, military strategy, and the arts of governance. His military career began under the tutelage of his father during the Roman campaigns in Britannia and Germania, where he showcased his leadership abilities.
The most defining episode of Titus’s military career was during the First Jewish–Roman War (66-73 AD), a rebellion by the Jewish population of Judea against Roman rule. The revolt was sparked by religious tensions, heavy taxation, and oppressive governance. In 67 AD, Vespasian was tasked with quelling the revolt, bringing along Titus as his second-in-command. However, events in Rome soon altered their course. Following Emperor Nero’s death in 68 AD, a period of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors ensued. Vespasian left the Judean campaign to claim the imperial throne, leaving Titus in command of the Roman forces.
Titus’s leadership came to the fore during the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, a pivotal event marking the climax of the Jewish revolt. The city was heavily fortified, and the defenders were fueled by both religious fervour and internal factional strife. Titus approached with a seasoned Roman army, deploying around 60,000 soldiers, including legions, auxiliaries, and cavalry.
The siege was characterised by brutal efficiency and relentless pressure. Titus implemented a strategy of encirclement, building a circumvallation—an elaborate series of siege works—to cut off supplies and escape routes, effectively starving the city into submission. This tactic not only weakened the defenders physically but also sowed despair among the population.
The Romans breached Jerusalem’s outer walls after weeks of relentless assault, but the defenders retreated to the inner strongholds, including the formidable Temple Mount. The fighting grew increasingly savage, with both sides committing atrocities. Titus attempted to negotiate a surrender to preserve the city’s grandeur and the sacred Temple, but the defenders refused.
Eventually, Roman forces overwhelmed the city. In August 70 AD, the Second Temple, the holiest site in Judaism, was set ablaze. The destruction of the Temple was a catastrophic blow to Jewish society and religion, marking the beginning of the Jewish diaspora. According to historical accounts, particularly by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus—who was present during the siege—over one million people perished, and tens of thousands were enslaved or taken as prisoners.
The plunder of Jerusalem was extensive. Roman soldiers looted vast amounts of treasure, including sacred artefacts from the Temple such as the Menorah, the Table of Showbread, and the trumpets. These spoils were paraded in a grand triumph celebrated in Rome, a spectacle that immortalised Titus’s victory. The Arch of Titus, standing in Rome to this day, depicts these scenes, showcasing Roman soldiers carrying the Temple treasures.
Titus’s conduct during the siege has been a subject of historical debate. While ancient sources like Josephus suggest he showed moments of clemency and reluctance to destroy the Temple, the overall devastation under his command reflects the harsh realities of Roman warfare and imperial dominance.
Upon returning to Rome, Titus was lauded as a hero. His triumph was not only a personal accolade but also a symbol of the Flavian dynasty’s legitimacy. When Vespasian died in 79 AD, Titus ascended to the throne. Despite fears he would be a tyrant—given his earlier reputation for cruelty during the siege—his reign was marked by benevolence, fairness, and dedication to public welfare.
Titus’s tenure as emperor saw him dealing with significant disasters, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and a devastating fire in Rome. His prompt and generous response to these crises earned him widespread admiration. He died in 81 AD, possibly of natural causes, though some speculate foul play.
Titus’s legacy is complex. To the Romans, he was a paragon of virtue and strength, immortalised by monuments and historical acclaim. To the Jewish people, he was a figure associated with destruction and exile. The plunder of Jerusalem under Titus not only reshaped Judea’s history but also left an indelible mark on the Roman Empire, symbolising both imperial power and the tragic costs of conquest.