Who built it
Titus, prior to his ascension to the throne, he was considered by many as “…unpopular and venomously loathed,” yet after becoming emperor, “he became an object of universal love and adoration.” The Temple of Saturn was originally erected in 497 BC and later rebuilt between 360 and 380 AD.
When
497 BCE
What was it’s purpose
Built in honour of Saturn it was the focal point of this ancient cult and stood on the site of the original temple. It served as the public treasury and was the focus of the popular December festival of Saturnalia.
Saturn was the god of agriculture, fertility and the harvest.
The Roman people chose the Temple of Saturn for their public treasury, because when he [Saturn] lived in Italy no theft was ever committed. Alternativelyl, because under him private property did not exist... So they entrusted the common property of the people to that deity under whom all things had been owned in common by all.
Macrobius, Saturnalia
On 17 December (16 days before the Calends of January) the dedicatory festival, Saturnalia, was held.
Describe/identify it’s main features
It is very big, it now consists primarily of eight columns of the pronaos, or porch, standing on travertine blocks. Some of the substructure below the temple stairs can be seen. The columns are all Egyptian granite: the front six in a grey colour from Mons Claudianus, the two side ones in a pink granite from Aswan. Only three of them are true monoliths; the remainder were made of two pieces joined together. The Ionic capitals were carved of white Thasian marble for the 4th-century restoration.
A primary source that describes how it was used/who used it
The most popular god, Saturn, ruled a "golden age" of prosperity, peace and civil freedom. The Romans believed Saturn's kingdom was Capitoline Hill. According to legend, the rule of Saturn's son, Jupiter, brought this period to an end. Honouring Saturn with a Temple, the Romans hoped for the return to a better era. In the end of December, a festival was celebrated in honour of Saturn. Friends and family exchanged gifts and his statue was draped and carried in procession through the city.
Task #8
1. How many columns are still standing today?
2. Who rebuilt the temple?
3. Which famous emperor is said to have robbed from the treasure? What was robbed?
Titus, prior to his ascension to the throne, he was considered by many as “…unpopular and venomously loathed,” yet after becoming emperor, “he became an object of universal love and adoration.” The Temple of Saturn was originally erected in 497 BC and later rebuilt between 360 and 380 AD.
When
497 BCE
What was it’s purpose
Built in honour of Saturn it was the focal point of this ancient cult and stood on the site of the original temple. It served as the public treasury and was the focus of the popular December festival of Saturnalia.
Saturn was the god of agriculture, fertility and the harvest.
The Roman people chose the Temple of Saturn for their public treasury, because when he [Saturn] lived in Italy no theft was ever committed. Alternativelyl, because under him private property did not exist... So they entrusted the common property of the people to that deity under whom all things had been owned in common by all.
Macrobius, Saturnalia
On 17 December (16 days before the Calends of January) the dedicatory festival, Saturnalia, was held.
Describe/identify it’s main features
It is very big, it now consists primarily of eight columns of the pronaos, or porch, standing on travertine blocks. Some of the substructure below the temple stairs can be seen. The columns are all Egyptian granite: the front six in a grey colour from Mons Claudianus, the two side ones in a pink granite from Aswan. Only three of them are true monoliths; the remainder were made of two pieces joined together. The Ionic capitals were carved of white Thasian marble for the 4th-century restoration.
A primary source that describes how it was used/who used it
The most popular god, Saturn, ruled a "golden age" of prosperity, peace and civil freedom. The Romans believed Saturn's kingdom was Capitoline Hill. According to legend, the rule of Saturn's son, Jupiter, brought this period to an end. Honouring Saturn with a Temple, the Romans hoped for the return to a better era. In the end of December, a festival was celebrated in honour of Saturn. Friends and family exchanged gifts and his statue was draped and carried in procession through the city.
Task #8
1. How many columns are still standing today?
2. Who rebuilt the temple?
3. Which famous emperor is said to have robbed from the treasure? What was robbed?