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) |
 The Temple of
Vespasian
The emperor Vespasian is one of the only Romans recorded
to have a sense of humor on his deathbed. Apparently, his last word were
something like, "Alas, I think I am becoming a god." And since
he was an effective emperor, upon his death the man was declare divus,
divine. His son the emperor Titus began the construction of the temple to
his now deified father, but he himself died before its completion, and the
other son of Vespasian, Domitian, completed the temple and dedicated it
to both of his deceased predecessors. The space was rather cramped, so the
temple backed right up to the Tabularium, and in fact an exit from the Tabularium
to the formum became blocked by this new temple. What remains in the site
are three white columns in a "v" which marks a corner of the porch.
These are topped by a chunk of the architrave which shows hisgfh quality
craftsmenship. |
