In triumphal arches, the attic refers to the flat area above the center of the arch upon which the inscription has been incised. In this view the text is visible and partially legible.
The Latin text reads "Senatus Populusque Romanus Divo Tito Divi Vespasiani F Vespasiano Augusto." The translation of the inscription reads "The Senate and the Roman People (dedicated this arch) to the Divine Titus Vespasian Augustus son of the Divine Vespasian."
In the standard form of inscriptions, the F abbreviates FILIUS or FILIA and the father's name appears before the F but between the son's or daughter's names or titles. The grammatical explanation of this inscription follows.
Return to the Arch of Titus