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Discover the Top 13 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Titus: Roman Emperor with a Twist!

illustration of titus
Dive into the fascinating world of Titus and uncover quirky tidbits that'll have you saying, "Well, I never knew that!"

1. Apocalyptic Party Emperor

Titus, the Roman Emperor with a penchant for partying, was stuck playing 'The Floor is Lava' in the most apocalyptic sense: during his reign he faced the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a raging fire that engulfed Rome for three days, and a resurgence of war in Britannia - all while managing to keep his hands clean from political bloodshed, effectively ending the practice of accusing people of treason.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Colosseum Party King

When Titus threw a party, he put Fyre Festival to shame: He celebrated the Colosseum's grand opening with over a hundred days of gladiator games, exotic animal displays, and dazzling reenactments of famous battles, all funded by the Roman state to keep the masses entertained.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

3. Roman Bob the Builder

Behold Titus, the ancient Roman Bob the Builder: He didn't just fix it, he completed the massive Colosseum in 79 AD! Originally built by Jewish prisoners, this grand architectural marvel was officially opened in 80 AD after this Roman emperor followed in the footsteps of his father, Vespasian.
Source => rome.us

4. Ultimate Animal Arena

In an arena that would make Noah's Ark look like amateur hour: Emperor Titus hosted inaugural games at the Roman Colosseum, where over 9,000 animals from all corners of the empire – including elephants, lions, and even a rhinoceros – were slain in morning entertainments, with afternoons reserved for gladiatorial combats and battle reenactments. The legendary bestiarius Carpophorus was also featured, impressing audiences with his exceptional ability to fight beasts like bears, leopards, and monstrously-sized lions.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Swift and Compassionate Ruler

5. Swift and Compassionate Ruler

They say Rome wasn't built in a day, but Titus sure knew how to throw a Colosseum-warming party in no time: The Roman Emperor reigned for only two years from AD 79 to 81, but he not only completed the construction of the iconic Flavian Amphitheatre (now known as the Colosseum), but also showcased his compassionate and fair ruling style by providing relief to the victims of Mount Vesuvius' volcanic eruption in AD 79.
Source => aboutroma.com

6. Sibling Rivalry Champion

You know that feeling when your younger sibling unexpectedly beats you at something? Well, Emperor Domitian was served a hearty dish of sibling rivalry back in ancient Rome: Titus, being the younger brother, actually snagged the throne before Domitian, making him the second emperor in their family, right after their father Vespasian.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Rome's First Triumphal Parade

Move over, Kardashians – ancient Rome had its own triumphal parades, complete with major bling stolen from temples: The Arch of Titus commemorates Titus and his father Vespasian's successful revolt-crushing in Judaea in AD 70, featuring awe-inspiring reliefs of their victory procession in AD 71 and some serious swag taken from the Temple of Jerusalem, simultaneously reminding us of the ephemeral nature of grand architecture with its signs of decay and intrusive greenery.
Source => omeka.wellesley.edu

8. Volcanic Lemonade Maker

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – or so Titus did with a volcanic eruption: In 79 CE, during the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Emperor Titus generously donated from the imperial treasury, assigned two ex-consuls for relief efforts, and even visited Pompeii twice to check on the destruction caused by this not-so-citrusy catastrophe.
Source => courses.lumenlearning.com

9. Unforgettable Demolition Party

They say three's a crowd, but when Titus threw his monumental demolition party in Jerusalem, there were three VIP guests he just couldn't bear to part with: the towering trio of Herodian citadel. The serious reveal: After the brutal siege in 70 CE, Titus demolished almost everything else, including the Second Temple, leaving only these three monumental witnesses to the city's former greatness.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Disaster Relief Movie Star

10. Disaster Relief Movie Star

If you've heard of the Roman disaster movie "Vesuvius Does Pompeii," Emperor Titus might just be your favorite director's cut edition: a compassionate and generous ruler, Titus not only funded the rebuilding of Pompeii following the volcanic eruption in AD 79, but also aided victims of Rome's great fire in AD 80, earning him acclaim for his fair and just reign.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Titan of Tender-Heartedness

Step right up and feast your peepers on the original titan of the tender-hearted, the granddaddy of generosity, the Roman rock star of relief – Titus "The Delight of Mankind" Flavius: Titus was famously kind during his reign, distributing big bags of Roman bucks to those affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the fire in Rome, and dishing out help like it was going out of style during a famine.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Benevolent Ruler Surprise

Whoever said "never judge a book by its cover" must have had Titus in mind: this seemingly ruthless Roman Emperor turned out to be quite the benevolent ruler, completing the construction of the Colosseum and calming the masses with 100 days of spectacular free-for-all games, as well as providing generous aid to victims of natural disasters like the eruption of Vesuvius and the great Roman fire.
Source => pbs.org

13. Original Arch Influencer

Introducing Titus: the original arch influencer who was causing FOMO in Ancient Rome even after he'd kicked the amphora: The Arch of Titus, a triumphal monument in Rome's Sacred Way, was built in his honor as the divine progeny of Vespasian. Not only did it showcase some epic relief sculptures of his Judean conquest, but it also turned into an architectural muse for structures like the Arc de Triomphe and the United States National Memorial Arch. Talk about a lasting legacy!
Source => khanacademy.org

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