's
scale model of ancient Rome at the
Museum of Roman Civilization showing the area of the
Theatre of Marcellus, the Forum Holitorium and the
Forum Boarium. The construction of the sacred area of the forum dates back to the
Republican age, more precisely to the period between the
first and the
Second Punic War. Subsequently, at the time of
Caesar (
1st century BC), it underwent renovations which involved the demolition of a fourth temple: it was built by
Manius Acilius Glabrio (
consul in
191 BC) next to the Temple of Janus and was demolished during the construction of the
Theatre of Marcellus (then completed by
Augustus). The temple was dedicated to the worship of
Diana. The staircases of the three temples were not aligned, which confirms the absence of uniform town-planning criteria during the Republican age. Their construction limited the area of the market, which previously might have extended up to the
Tiber. These temples are now part of the structure of the
Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere, first attested in the
11th century .
Temple of Janus The Temple of Janus was the one located on the right and the closest to the Theatre of Marcellus. Built by
Gaius Duilius at the time of the First Punic War, it was restored in
AD 17 by
Tiberius. It was a
peripteros temple
sine postìcum (with columns on three sides), with eight
tuff (
peperino) columns on the long sides and six on the front (hexastyle), covered with
stucco and raised on a low podium with elegant shaping.
Temple of Spes The Temple of Spes () was located on the left, in opposition to the Temple of Janus. It was built by
Aulus Atilius Calatinus, at the time of the First Punic War as well; it was restored in
232 BC and rebuilt after the fire of
213 BC, which also destroyed the temples of
Sant'Omobono Area; finally it was restored in
AD 17 by
Germanicus Julius Caesar. It was a peripteros
doric temple with six columns on the front and eleven on the long side; the columns were made of raw
travertine and covered with stucco to simulate the appearance of marble. It measured in length and in width. Six columns of the temple with their
architrave still exist, incorporated in the left side of the church of San Nicola.
Temple of Juno Sospita The temple of Juno Sospita was located between the temple of Spes and that of Janus: on its ruins, towards the end of the
11th century, the current church was founded. Built around
195 BC by
Gaius Cornelius Cethegus, it was a peripteros
ionic temple, with six columns on the facade, three rows of columns on the front side and two on the back side. A travertine staircase, the same which is still used today to access the church, led to the
pronaos of the temple. It was the largest of the three, since it measured in length and in width, as well as the tallest one, as can be seen by comparing the preserved columns of each of the temples. The present structure is due to the restoration commissioned by a certain Caecilia Metella in
90 BC. The remains of the temple are the basement, which can be visited inside the church, and three columns incorporated into the facade, one of which has no
capital; these columns were still visible in their original state before the facade was rebuilt. Other remains, such as some columns, are visible inside the church. == See also ==