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Photo by Werner Eck, courtesy of the IAA.

THE SENATE AND THE PEOPLE OF ROME probably raised a monumental arch at Tell Shalem, just south of Scythopolis/Beth Shean, to commemorate the victory of Hadrian against rebellious Judea. It may have rivaled the Arch of Titus in Rome, which celebrates Titus’ victory over the Jews in the First Jewish Revolt in 70 A.D. Dedicated to Hadrian, the arch featured an inscription in Latin that was 35 feet long with letters sometimes 16 inches high (see silhouette of person for scale). The erection of such an arch was a testament to Hadrian’s hard-won victory and a recognition of how important the battle had been to Rome.