Temple of Venus Genetrix
Coordinates | 41°53′39″N 12°29′05″E / 41.8942°N 12.4848°E |
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The Temple of Venus Genetrix (Latin: Templum Veneris Genetricis) is a ruined temple in the Forum of Caesar, Rome, dedicated to the Roman goddess Venus Genetrix, the founding goddess of the Julian gens. It was dedicated to the goddess on September 26, 46 BCE by Julius Caesar.[1]
History
The forum and temple were perhaps planned as early as 54 BC, and construction began shortly thereafter.[2]
On the eve of the
The area was damaged by the fire in 80 AD. Later the temple was rebuilt by Domitian and was restored and rededicated by Trajan on 12 May 113 AD. It was then burned again in 283 AD, and again restored, this time by Diocletian. The three columns now visible belong to this later reconstruction.[1]
Location and structure
The temple originally sat up against the saddle that joined the Capitoline Hill to the Quirinal Hill.[3]
The temple was built of brick faced with marble and had eight columns (
Access to the cella was afforded by circulation through the flanking arches, up narrow stairs on either side, to a landing in front of the temple, from which several more steps extending the width of the facade conducted to the cella level.[2]
It was placed at the far end of the court enclosed by the Forum, a standard practice among the Romans.[1]
Adornment
Items deposited inside the Temple included a
The Temple was styled in Corinthian order. This included carved mouldings, capitals, and entablature. One of the mouldings, the cyma moulding, has carved dolphins, shells, and tridents. These particular symbols refer to Venus and the sea.[2]
There were three fountain basins: one at the front of the façade and one on either corner of the Temple.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Diana E. E. Kleiner. Julius Caesar, Venus Genetrix, and the Forum Iulium (Multimedia Lecture). Yale University. Archived from the original on 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ JSTOR 4238590.
- ^ ISBN 0801843006.
- ^ "Temple of Venus Genetrix". University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities. 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2023.