triumphal arch to commemorate his victories over the Jews. This arch,
called the ARCH OF TITUS, was built on the highest part of the Via
Sacra, and on its walls was carved a representation of the sacred
candlestick of the Jewish temple, which can still be seen.

It was during this reign that HERCULANEUM and POMPEII were destroyed
by an eruption of Vesuvius. In this eruption perished PLINY THE ELDER,
the most noted writer of his day. His work on _Natural History_,
the only one of his writings that is preserved, shows that he was a
true student. His passion for investigation led him to approach too
near the volcano, and caused his death.


DOMITIAN (81-96).

DOMITIAN was the opposite of his brother Titus,--cruel, passionate,
and extravagant. He was murdered after a reign of fifteen years,
during which he earned the hatred and contempt of his subjects by his
crimes and inconsistencies.

In his foreign policy Domitian showed considerable ability. He added
to the Empire that part of Germany which corresponds to modern Baden
and Wirtemberg, and built a line of fortifications from Mentz on the
Rhine to Ratisbon on the Danube.

With him ended the line of the FLAVIAN EMPERORS, and he was also the
last of the so called TWELVE CAESARS, a name given them by the
historian Suetonius.