Courtesy Hillel Geva

“IMP[ERATOR] CAESAR VESPASIANUS AUG[USTUS] … ” reads the beginning of the Latin inscription on a triumphal column dedicated to Emperor Titus (ruled 79–81 C.E.; his family name was Vespasian), who led the siege against Jerusalem nine years before acceding to the throne. The abbreviation “LEG•X•FRE” appears at the bottom, indicating the column was erected by the Tenth Roman Legion. The monument probably stood at one of the entrances to the Roman temple in Jerusalem. The column was discovered incorporated into the foundations of a Moslem palace south of the Temple Mount.