Temples of The Roman Gods in The

Forum

By Joshua Killingsworth

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Templum Veneris et Romae This Temple was devoted to Venus Goddess of Love (right) and Roma, the anthropomorphic personification of the Roman State.

The Temple faced both the Coliseum on one side and the rest of the forum on the other. The sides were dedicated to Venus and Roma (respectively).

Venus is Attributed as the father of Aeneas who helped found Rome after the Trojan War.

Roma is generally Depicted with a helmet and clothed (unlike Venus).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94028658@N00/3373361434/

http://archaeosammlungen.uni-graz.at/typo3temp/pics/4ad8655a37.jpg

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Templum Vestae

Vesta, Roman Goddess of the hearth, watched over the Sacred Fire at this location.

Next to this location was the Atrium of Vesta where the Vestals (the real caretakers of the sacred flame)lived.

Vesta was original An Olympian until Bacchus, son of Jupiter, took her seat on the council.

http://www.best-of-rome-italy.com/temple-of-vesta.html

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Templum Castoris et Pollicis

The Temple is a ruin in modern times with only three pillars still standing.

Castor and Pollux were twin children of the god Jupiter and as such were known as Gemini (Twins in Latin) or Dioscuri in Greek (sons of Zeus).

They are considered both mortals and Gods. Bacchus is the only god to have a mortal ancestry other than these two.

The constellation Gemini is not is not just named for them but was created at their death from them.

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/architecture/pictures/TempleofCastor.jpg

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Templum Saturni

His Temple of Saturn held the treasures of Rome and as the seat of the treasury it also held records before the Tablularium took over that job.

Saturn was the Father of Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Ceres, Juno, and Vesta. During the Titan War he was cut into a thousand Pieces.

His Statue there was wooden filled with oil and covered in wool.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Forum_temple_of_saturn.jpg

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Templum Divi Iuli

The building is placed on the site where Julius was Cremated 42 B.C.

While Julius caesar was not a god, he was an intelligent and ambitious conqueror. He conquered Gaul and helped transformed The Republic of Rome into The Empire of Rome.

The Building was created by Caesar Augustus, The first emperor and adopted son of Julius.

http://thisgaudygildedstage.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/visiting-rome-the-colosseum-the-forum-and-palantine-hill/

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