Arch of Titus: Rome and the Menorah

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/archoftitus

Introduction

### Course Review and Recommendation: Arch of Titus: Rome and the Menorah If you're passionate about history, art, and the intricate relationships between cultures, *Arch of Titus: Rome and the Menorah* on Coursera is a course you must explore. This unique offering provides a comprehensive look at one of the most significant Roman monuments of antiquity, the Arch of Titus, through the lens of Roman, Jewish, and later Christian perspectives. Guided by the knowledgeable Professor Steven Fine, learners will embark on a fascinating journey through time that examines the impact and meaning of this iconic structure. #### **Course Overview** The Arch of Titus commemorates the Roman Empire's victory over Jerusalem in 70 CE, an event with profound significance that reshaped cultural and religious narratives in Jewish and Christian histories. The course deftly intertwines historical analysis, art criticism, and cultural studies, making it appealing for a broad audience, from history buffs to art enthusiasts and religious scholars. #### **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **Why the Arch of Titus Matters**: This foundational module introduces students to the significance of the Arch within both Roman and Jewish contexts. It sets the stage for understanding the dual narratives of victor and vanquished, allowing students to appreciate its cultural resonance and broader implications in today's society. 2. **The Arch of Titus as a Work of Art**: Here, learners will adopt an art historical perspective, gaining insights into the iconography of the Arch's relief panels. The module teaches careful observation of historical artifacts, encouraging students to derive meanings that may not be immediately apparent. 3. **The Arch of Titus in History**: This module delves into Roman and Talmudic sources linked to Titus’s triumphal procession in 71 CE. Engaging with ancient texts, students critically assess their historical context and relevance, enriching their understanding of how the Arch has been interpreted over time. 4. **The Arch of Titus from Antiquity to the Modern Era**: Through studying Jewish and Christian viewpoints, participants will uncover how various faiths have interacted with this monument throughout history. Engaging discussions with contemporary scholars bring additional depth, showing the Arch's enduring impact on society. 5. **The Arch of Titus in the Modern World**: This module emphasizes modern perceptions and uses of the Arch. By analyzing primary visual and literary sources, students will learn to identify and interpret Arch imagery in contemporary contexts, culminating in a narrative project that encapsulates its modern significance. 6. **The Arch of Titus: Restoring its Color**: As an intriguing final module, students will explore the study of polychromy in ancient Roman art. They’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the vibrant colors that once adorned these structures, applying their learning to a restoration project of the Arch's menorah panel. #### **Overall Impression and Recommendation** The *Arch of Titus: Rome and the Menorah* course is a rich tapestry of interdisciplinary studies, seamlessly blending history, art, and cultural analysis. Professor Fine's expertise and engaging teaching style breathe life into the material, making even the most complex ideas accessible and stimulating. Whether you're pursuing academic growth, personal interest, or professional development, this course offers valuable insights that extend beyond the confines of the Arch itself. It prompts participants to think critically about the ways historical monuments shape collective memory and identity. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone interested in not just the Arch of Titus, but also the broader narratives of history, culture, and art that will resonate with learners in our modern world. It’s an enlightening experience that will deepen your appreciation for how art and history converge to reflect human experiences across time and culture.

Syllabus

Why the Arch of Titus Matters

This module introduces the Arch of Titus and the larger themes of the course. Students will begin to view the Arch from the perspectives of Roman and Jewish history, of the victors and the vanquished, and the continuing history of this artifact. They will be sensitized to the presence of imagery related to the Arch in the larger culture, and be able to identity some of that imagery.

This module explores the Arch of Titus as an artifact. Students will learn to look closely at this and other historical monuments in order to draw out the meanings of its iconography. They will see the Arch and especially its carved relief panels through selected refracting lenses.

Roman and Talmudic sources on Titus's triumphal parade in 71 CE will be the focus of this module. Students will read these ancient texts critically and assess the historical value for understanding the Arch and its later reception.

Students will explore Jewish and Christian perspectives of the Arch and be able to explain how these perceptions affected their experience and interpretation of this artifact. Conversations with scholars and museum "visits" demonstrate a broad range of contemporary perspectives on the Arch and the continued significance of its iconography.

We will explore the ways that moderns have viewed and used the Arch, through the close reading of primary visual and literary sources. "Fieldtrips" and conversations contextualize the search for Arch imagery in our world, and demonstrate ways to recognize this iconography. Students will write a narrative of the Arch in modern times based upon primary literary sources.

Recent advances in the study of the original color, polychromy, of ancient Roman art will be presented. Students will learn the reasons for this rethinking of ancient art, and apply this learning to their own restorations of the polychrome of the Arch of Titus menorah panel.