Ecce Homo Arch (Hadrian’s Arch) is a Roman monumental arch located in the northeastern sector of the Old City of Jerusalem, traditionally associated with the reign of Emperor Hadrian (reigned 117–138 CE). Constructed as part of the urban reconfiguration of Jerusalem into the Roman colony Aelia Capitolina following the suppression of the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE), the arch functioned as a ceremonial gateway along the eastern forum and a principal colonnaded street (cardo or decumanus). It was an impressive triple arched Roman gateway traditionally believed to be the location of Pontius Pilate's Ecce Homo speech, reported by the Bible. The arch was built in the 2nd century CE during the time of Emperor Hadrian, as the entrance gate leading into the Roman Forum (the public square) of Aelia Capitolina.
As it was originally a triumphal arch it may have looked something like Arch of Constantine in Rome. Today only the middle large arch is partially visible from the street, known as the Ecce Homo Arch this is the central span of what was originally a triple-arched gateway. It supports a small room with barred windows. It was similar in purpose to the Arch of Titus situated in the Forum Romanum commemorating the 70 CE victory over the Jews.
circa 150 CE
The Triumphal Arch
Architecturally, it is characterized by a large central arch flanked by smaller lateral arches, executed in Roman ashlar masonry. The structure later acquired its Christian appellation, “Ecce Homo”, during the medieval period, reflecting a devotional tradition—unsupported by archaeological evidence—that associated the site with the Gospel narrative of Pontius Pilate’s presentation of Jesus to the crowd. Today, the surviving remains are incorporated into later architectural complexes, notably the Ecce Homo Convent, and constitute an important stratigraphic and historical marker of Roman imperial urbanism in Jerusalem during the early empire period.
The reconstruction of the Ecce Homo Arch, the remains of the original arch are shown here in dark bricks. The smaller arch on the left is today a part of Church of Ecce Homo. The right side arch was incorporated into a monastery for Uzbek dervishes in the Order of the Golden Chain, but this monastery (zawiyya) was later demolished, taking the arch with it.
circa 150 CE
Lithostrotos
The triumphal arch was part of a larger complex of buildings in the area. Hadrian installed a vaulted ceiling over the pool to allow the construction of his forum plaza. Today known as the Lithostrotos (gabbatha), the remains of this plaza can still be seen beneath the Convent of Ecce Homo. The reconstruction shows the Hadrian's triumphal arch (Ecce Homo Arch) and the Lithostrotos which was built over the area where the Struthion Pool was located,
circa 150 CE
Today, the original arch built by Hadrian remains in ruins. Only the central span and the northern arch remain partially standing. The northernmost small arch integrated in the Basilica of Ecce Homo, originally it would have allowed access in to the forum of Hadrian. The central span of the arch continues through the wall of the convent chapel, where the smaller northern arch (pictured here) now frames the tabernacle, under a Byzantine cross on a gilded mosaic backdrop.
circa 150 CE
Ecce Homo Arch, 1864, Ordnance Survey of Jerusalem, James McDonald. Traditionally, the arch was said to have been part of the gate of Herod’s Antonia Fortress, which itself was alleged to be the location of Jesus’ trial by Pontius Pilate.
However, since the late 1970’s CE, archaeologists have established that the arch was a triple-arched gateway built by Hadrian. It served as the eastern entrance of the Forum of Aelia Capitolina located to the west of the main north-south cardo.
circa
Today the arch lies near the start of the modern day Via Dolorosa. Lately an inscription has been carved under the Arch of Ecce Homo (originally built by Hadrian in 135 CE). This processional path is known by several names, most commonly known naes are "Way of Grief", "Way of Sorrow", "Way of Suffering" or simply "Painful Way".
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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