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 Saturn
The west end of the Forum, at the base of the Capitoline
Hill was associated with the god Saturn from the earliest times of Roman
History. Legend has it that an altar was built at the foot of the Capitoline
Hill for Saturn and that a temple was erected on the same site. In early
times, the grateful inhabitants brought their wealth, grain, wool, and oil,
to offer the first fruits to the god who had blest them, and to have him
guard the remainder of their treasure. Later, therefore, when they counted
their wealth in gold and silver bars, or in coins, Saturn still guarded
the state treasure in his temple.
The cult statue of the god was obviously wooden: not only
was it filled with oil, but also bound with wool. |
