Location on Forum Plan
Via Sacra
Lapis Niger
Curia (Senate House)
Basilica Aemilia
Templum Antonini et Faustinae
Basilica Constantini
Templum Veneris et Romae
Arcus Titi
Regia
Atrium Vestae
Templum Vestae
Templum Juli
Templum Castoris
Basilica Julia
Templum Saturni
Tabularium
Templum Divi Vespasiani
Templum Concordiae
Lacus Curtius
Rostra
Miliarium Aureum
Arcus Septimii Serveri
Carcer (Prison) |
 Temple of Castor and Pollux
In the Forum, near the Temple of Vesta, stands what is
left of the temple erected in honor of Castor and Pollux, the twin sons
of Jupiter.Legend has it that during the the battle of Lake Regillus two
youths on horseback, far excelling mortals in beauty of form and features,
appeared to Postumius, the Roman leader, and to those about him, and charged
at the head of the Roman cavalry. They wounded all they met with their spears,
and drove the Latins before them, putting them to flight, taking their camp,
and ending the battle. A little later, according to legend, two youths appeared
in the same manner in the Roman Forum at sunset. They were attired in military
uniform, were very tall and beautiful and of the same age, and looked as
if they had just come from battle. Even their horses were tired from the
battle. They dismounted, and washed in the fountain near the temple of Vesta.
In answer to the many questions of people who were standing about, eager
to know whether the strangers had brought news from the camp, they announced
the Roman victory and related the particulars of the battle. The story goes
that after they had left the Forum they were never seen again, despite efforts
of the magistrate of the city.
The next day the persons entrusted with the care of the
commonwealth received letters sent by the Dictator in which he gave an account
of the apparition of god-like youths, and other details in connection with
the battle. They then concluded that since the self-same figures had appeared
in both places, they must be divinities or semi-divine beings, probably
Castor and Pollux themselves.
Three massive columns remain from the Temple of Castor
and Pollux. They are over forty-eight feet high The temple had been, rebuilt
between 7 B.C. and 6 A.D. The statues of Castor and Pollux can be seen at
the top of the stairs of the Capitoline Hill. |
