(39–81 CE). Roman general responsible for the final siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Later appointed emperor of Rome (79–81). He was the son of Vespasian who commanded the Roman forces at the beginning of the war against the Jews, and he took over from his father on the latter's elevation to the position of emperor.
In spite of the praise which Titus earned from Roman historians, both as soldier and emperor, he is described in rabbinic literature as Titus ha-rasha ("the wicked"), not only because he was the architect of the destruction of the Temple, but also because, in the folklore, he desecrated the Sanctum of the Temple by obscene acts of outrageous immorality and sacrilege which he committed in the Holy of Holies. The Jewish historian Josephus Flavius suggests that the destruction was not part of Titus' plan, but was carried out by soldiers who disobeyed the general's orders.
The arch of Titus in Rome was erected to commemorate the Roman victory, and it can still be seen. It depicts the transportation from the Temple of some of its sacred vessels including the menorah, or candelabrum.
According to a legend, Titus taunted God by saying that He is powerful only on the sea, as He destroyed the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. Thereupon God sent a tiny gnat which entered Titus' nostrils and into his head, and which caused the Roman great suffering until finally he succumbed to the insect and died.
