Rectanglar Temples

• Originally copied from Etruscan temples but Greek-style rectangular became more popular.
• Differences-Roman temples had a high podium accessible only by steps at the gable (entrance).
• Roman temples were turned to all parts of the compass with their orientation governed by their relationship with other buildings.
• In Roman Temples the back was of no account.
• Architecture
• Very much at the front, the back was of no account.
• Approached by a flight of steps which led through a hexastyle portico, an open porch six columns wide and three deep, to the cella at the back which was wall enclosed.
• The portico was surrounded by entablature which consisted of an architrave (the main beam on each column), a frieze (the horizontal broad band above the architrave) and a pediment (triangular section crowning the entablature which was closed by a tympanum which could be filled by carved or free-standing sculpture).
• Due to Greek influence, pillars were added along the side, sometimes free standing (peripteral) and sometimes attached to the walls (pseudo-peripteral).

1. 1.Maison Carrée (Nimes)

• Best preserved of Roman rectangular.
• Built by Marcus Agrippa under Augustus in 16 BC, dedicated to his sons.
• The temple is externally complete except the podium stood on a platform surrounded by porticos.
• It is hexastyle pseudo-peripteral with 3 open bays on each side of the porch and seven engaged pillars on either side.
• It is of the Corinthian order with an admirable frieze.
• The abaci show a band of flute-like leaves which are a characteristic of the early Empire.

1. 2.Temple of Bacchus (Baalbek)

• It dates from 150 AD.
• Its surrounding colonnade was unusual.
• It is a peripteral temple with 15 columns on each side and 8 at the back and front.
• It stands on a high podium with a flight of 34 steps leading to the deep hexastyle portico.
• The larger columns are unfluted and Corinthian while the smaller ones are fluted Corinthian.
• The portico is roofed with a convex ceiling of blocks carved with Mars, Ceres, Vulcan and more.
• The entrance is surrounded by ornate frames and is flanked by two towers.
• The cella is flanked by Corinthian pilasters. Between these are two tiers of niches (lower were round headed and the upper were triangular pediments).
• The inside of the temple is lavishly decorated in contrast to the Greek extrovert tradition.
• Down the cella began a podium which ran across the width of the building and was approached by steps. Beyond this a second set of steps leads to a higher platform on which stands an elaborate canopy supported by two massive pilasters and containing the cult statue.
• “The whole concept was astonishingly rich-the stone groaned beneath the weight of its own luxuriance”. “The building holds a unique place in the history of architecture”.
• Greek-Colonnades around building and interior/porch
• Roman-Lofty podium/lavish interior

Round Temples

1. 1.Temple of Vesta (Tivoli)

• Corinthian-Early 1^st Century BC.
• Entablature-archtrave, frieze with Hellenistic type (oxen and garlands).
• High podium-18 fluted Corinthian columns.
• Capitals-additional decoration of flowers.
• Roof-pitched/concrete-doesn’t survive.
• Foundations made of tufa. Core of podium/cella wall-concrete faced with stucco. Exposed parts-travertine.

1. 2.Temple of Portunus

• Pentelic marble except for tufa podium.
• Unlike Tivali-completely surrounded by steps in Greek fashion.
• 20 free standing fluted Corinthian columns.
• Oldest surviving marble temple (150 BC).
• Entablature and roof are missing.

1. 3.Temple of Venus (Baalbek)

• “It is a gem”-complete circular plan.
• 200 AD.
• Podium-3 flights of steps.