In Search of Jewish Temple Relics: the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran and the Arch of Titus

Title

In Search of Jewish Temple Relics: the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran and the Arch of Titus

Subject

Neighborhoods

Description

During the middle ages, it was popularly believed by both Jews and Christians that relics from Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem were housed in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Benjamin of Tudela, a twelfth century Jewish visitor to Rome, reports that he saw two pillars from the temple within the basilica. Narrative mosaics from the portico of the Western entrance dating from around the 1180s illustrated the destruction of Jerusalem, and a late 13th century apse mosaic inscription catalogued the collection of Jewish relics deposited underneath the basilica’s high altar. Unfortunately the church suffered two devastating fires in 1307 and 1361, and between the fires and later renovations, few elements of the medieval church survive.

While the physical evidence of the temple spoils presence in the Lateran are gone, the Arch of Titus provides a visual record of the Roman victory over the Jews. Erected in 82 C.E. to celebrate Titus’ military victories, it features depictions of the spoils taken from the temple in Jerusalem after its destruction in 70 C.E. The arch, in addition to being architecturally and historically significant, can help the modern visitor to imagine the purported journey of the temple treasures to the Lateran.

Abstract

During the middle ages, it was popularly believed by both Jews and Christians that relics from Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem were housed in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Benjamin of Tudela, a twelfth century Jewish visitor to Rome, reports that he saw two pillars from the temple within the basilica. Narrative mosaics from the portico of the Western entrance dating from around the 1180s illustrated the destruction of Jerusalem, and a late 13th century apse mosaic inscription catalogued the collection of Jewish relics deposited underneath the basilica’s high altar.

Creator

Joseph Lowry (2017)

Source

Champagne, Marie Therese. “‘Treasures of the Temple’ and Claims to Authority in Twelfth Century Rome.” In Aspects of Power and Authority in the Middle Ages, ed. Brenda Bolton and Christine Meek, 107-118. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols Publishers n.v., 2007.

Champaigne, Marie Therese and Boustan, Ra’anan S. "Walking in the Shadows of the Past: The Jewish Experience of Rome in the Twelfth Century" Medieval Encounters 17 (2011), 464-494.

Identifier

jewishtemplerelics_2015

Coverage

1100s

Spatial Coverage

Via Sacra, 00186 Roma RM

Description

During the middle ages, it was popularly believed by both Jews and Christians that relics from Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem were housed in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Benjamin of Tudela, a twelfth century Jewish visitor to Rome, reports that he saw two pillars from the temple within the basilica. Narrative mosaics from the portico of the Western entrance dating from around the 1180s illustrated the destruction of Jerusalem, and a late 13th century apse mosaic inscription catalogued the collection of Jewish relics deposited underneath the basilica’s high altar. Unfortunately the church suffered two devastating fires in 1307 and 1361, and between the fires and later renovations, few elements of the medieval church survive.

While the physical evidence of the temple spoils presence in the Lateran are gone, the Arch of Titus provides a visual record of the Roman victory over the Jews. Erected in 82 C.E. to celebrate Titus’ military victories, it features depictions of the spoils taken from the temple in Jerusalem after its destruction in 70 C.E. The arch, in addition to being architecturally and historically significant, can help the modern visitor to imagine the purported journey of the temple treasures to the Lateran.

Creator

Joseph Lowry (2017)

Coverage

1100s

Source

Champagne, Marie Therese. “‘Treasures of the Temple’ and Claims to Authority in Twelfth Century Rome.” In Aspects of Power and Authority in the Middle Ages, ed. Brenda Bolton and Christine Meek, 107-118. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols Publishers n.v., 2007.

Champaigne, Marie Therese and Boustan, Ra’anan S. "Walking in the Shadows of the Past: The Jewish Experience of Rome in the Twelfth Century" Medieval Encounters 17 (2011), 464-494.

Geolocation