Titus

views updated May 29 2018

Titus1 (ad 39–81), Roman emperor, son of Vespasian. In 70 he ended a revolt in Judaea with the conquest of Jerusalem; he fell in love with the Jewish Queen Berenice, daughter of Herod Agrippa, who accompanied him back to Rome, although he was forced by the disapproval of his own people to send her away.
Arch of Titus a triumphal arch, commemorating the capture of Jerusalem by Titus, erected in the Forum at Rome by Titus's brother and successor Domitian.

Titus

views updated May 14 2018

Titus ★★ 1999 (R)

Flashy version of a lesserknown early Shakespeare play, the gory “Titus Andronicus.” Theatrical driector Taymor makes her film debut with verve and a wild mixture of styles. Victorius Roman general Titus (Hopkins) has just defeated the Goths and has captured Tamora (Lange), the Goth Queen and her sons, one of whom Titus promptly sacrifices to appease the gods. Decadent Emperor Saturninus (Cumming) claims Tamora for his queen; her daughter Lavinia (Fraser) suffers a fate worse than death; Tamora wants revenge; Titus wants revenge; there's a villainous Moor, Aaron (Lennix); and a lot of campy fantasy and blood. 162m/C VHS, DVD . Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Harry J. Lennix, Colm Feore, Laura Fraser, James Frain, Angus MacFadyen, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Geraldine McEwan, Matthew Rhys, Bruno Bilotta; D: Julie Taymor; W: Julie Taymor; C: Luciano Tovoli; M: Elliot Goldenthal.

Titus

views updated Jun 08 2018

Titus (ad 39–81) Roman Emperor (r.79–81), eldest son of Vespasian. In ad 70, he captured and destroyed Jerusalem after a Jewish revolt. As Emperor, Titus stopped persecutions for treason, completed the Colosseum in Rome, and provided aid for the survivors after the eruption of Vesuvius (79). He was succeeded by Domitian.

Titus

views updated Jun 08 2018

Titus2 an early saint. St Titus (1st century ad), Greek churchman, was a convert and helper of St Paul. He was traditionally the first bishop of Crete. His feast day is (in the Eastern Church) 23 August; (in the Western Church) 6 February.
Epistle to Titus a book of the New Testament, an epistle of St Paul addressed to St Titus.