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Regio II - Insula VII - Tempio II,VII,5
(Temple)

In the period of Domitian (81-96 AD) a brick temple was erected in the centre of the Square of the Corporations, facing the theatre. Various deities have been related to the temple by the archaeologists: Annona, Ceres, Serapis, Vulcanus. According to Van der Meer it may have been built by Domitian himself and was dedicated to the cult of deified Emperors. An arm of a colossal statue (of Domitian?) was found in the south-west part of the square.

The vestibule was reached along a staircase with perhaps eleven marble steps (the present steps are a restoration). On one of the steps is a graffito of an elephant. The staircase is flanked by two large water basins. In front of the vestibule were two marble columns. The walls of the cella have disappeared almost entirely. The pavement was made of marble slabs. Along the walls were stone benches. The central part of the northern bench is protruding.

Plan of the temple

Plan of the temple. After SO I.

Photos



The temple seen from the south-east. Photo: Wikimedia, Dennis Jarvis.


[jthb - 1-May-2022]