Historiated Title Page
Author: Leusden, Johannes, 1624-1699.
Image Title: Historiated Title Page
Description: This frontispiece is an early modern rendering of the 70 CE Fall of Jerusalem etched by artist Etched Johan van den Avele (c.1655 – 1727 CE). In the center, an effeminate crowned figure draped in layers of ornate garments has fallen from a throne and kneels beside the altar with one ankle fettered, symbolic of the city of Jerusalem. Rays break through dark clouds and shine upon the figure from the top right corner, which bears the word YHWH in the Hebrew script. A Jewish High Priest, possibly the last High Priest of Jerusalem, Phannias ben Samuel (fl.67-70 CE), stands in the center with one hand raised amidst the chaos. Jewish objects including a scroll, a crown, a shofar, coins, and a winged sacrifice are scattered around the altar on the right side of the frame. On the left, helmeted soldiers with torches, swords, spears threaten the Jewish figures, and behind them the city gate and walls of Jerusalem flanked by siege towers and troops burn and crumble. The helmets and gonfalon with the acronym SPQR or SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS, which translates to “The Roman Senate and People,” identify the military forces as the Roman army under Emperor Titus Vespasianus Augustus or Titus Flavius Vespasianus (39 – 81 BCE). In the bottom right-hand corner is a reproduction of the Siege of Jerusalem relief depicted on the Arch of Titus, an arch constructed in c. 82 CE by the Emperor Domitian (51 – 96 BCE) to commemorate Titus' victories.
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