Temple of Venus Genetrix

The forum and temple were perhaps planned as early as 54 BCE, and construction began shortly thereafter. The forum and temple were eventually completed by Octavian. The area was damaged by the fire in 80 CE. Later the temple was rebuilt by Domitian and was restored and rededicated by Trajan on 12 May 113 CE. It was then burned again in 283 CE, and again restored, this time by Diocletian. The three columns now visible belong to this later reconstruction. == Location and structure ==

, 1747) The temple originally sat up against the saddle that joined the Capitoline Hill to the Quirinal Hill.It was placed at the far end of the court enclosed by the Forum, a standard practice among the Romans. Temple venus genitrix plan.png|Floorplan (Architectural elements named in French; refers to a pool) File:Temple_de_Venus_Genitrix_plan_depuis_le_nord-est.svg|View from the northeast == Adornment ==

Items deposited inside the Temple included a statue of Venus Genetrix by Arcesilaus as well as statues of Julius Caesar. Numerous Greek paintings by Timomachus of Ajax and Medea, six collections of engraved gems, a breastplate decorated with pearls from Britannia, and a controversial golden statue of Queen Cleopatra as the goddess Isis once filled the Temple. 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 refer to Venus and the sea. There were three fountain basins: one at the front of the façade and one on either corner of the Temple. ==See also==