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Roman temples - the ones in Pompeii
in particular - do not diverge in any way from the great Hellenistic
models known through the colonies of Magna Graecia. The main nucleus
was provided by a cella (naos) - where the statue of the god was
housed - enclosed in a larger structure usually rectangular in
shape. The latter varied in its structure according to the
arrangement of the colonnade: the temple with columns incorporated
in the central front part was called in antis, that with the whole
front opening onto a colonnade was known as prostyle; that with
columns placed at front and back was called amphiprostyle; the
temple with a ring of columns around its entire perimeter was
peripteral and that whose perimeter was surrounded by a double
colonnade was dipteral.
The shape of the capitals gave rise to a further distinction in
three orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian according to whether they
were completely flattened, had two side volutes or were decorated
with acanthus leaves.
TEMPLE OF APOLLO
It is an integral part of the Forum area even though it predates it.
It goes back, at least as far as its primitive nucleus is concerned,
to the 6th century, that is to the Samnite period. It was then
extended, the part which jutted out into the Forum square being
closed off and embellished around the 1st century A.D., particularly
under the Emperor Nero. The building shows architectural features of
both italic and Greek derivation and has a rectangular plan with the
perimeter being surrounded by an astonishing 48 columns. The inner
cella, raised on a podium, was reached by means of a long flight of
steps. Opposite these was the sacrificial altar. The central part,
which contains the altar to the god, is also surrounded by columns.
It is adorned with two statues depicting "Apollo shooting arrows"
and "Diana" (the originals are housed in the National Archaeological
Museum in Naples). On one of the columns which mark off the cella of
the god there was a sundial.
TEMPLE OF JUPITER OR CAPITOLIUM
This was the main centre of religious life in Pompeii. Situated on
the northern side of the Forum, it is dedicated to the highest
divinity of ancient times - actually it was built in honour of the
Jupter, Juno and Minerva triad - and towers above a wide staircase
with two large arches either side which have remained virtually
intact. In a spectacular manner it closed off the fourth side of the
square where there was no colonnade. The temple, dating back to the
2nd century B.C., was built in two stages, the second of which,
scheduled towards the end of the same century, led to the expansion
of the architectural structure.
The building shows at the front the remains of some tall fluted
columns: these also continued along the sides as far as the cel
la which is spacious and fairly elongated.
The large "head of Jupiter" found here is in the Archaeological
Museum in Naples. The building was seriously damaged by the
earthquake of 62 A.D. and, at the moment of the eruption of 79 A.D.,
it had not yet been restored to its original splendour.
TEMPLE OF THE LARES
This sanctuary was dedicated to the protector gods of the house and
was built by the Pompeians as a token of their gratitude for having
escaped the perilous earthquake. Executed in brick, it has a
rectangular plan enlivened at the far end by an apse with fine
ornamental columns and with niches either side. The Lares were the
tutelary deities of the house and were probably to be identified
with the deceased: they protected the property and the family. Each
house had a site or a small temple dedicated to them.
TEMPLE OF VESPASIAN
This is a small cult building of which part of the facade of the
outer structure still remains - the side walls are decorated with
blind gabled windows - and a cella raised on a pedestal. The latter,
standing on a podium, was at one time preceded by four fluted
columns supporting a pediment. Opposite is an altar in marble
decorated with basreliefs depicting "sacrificial scenes".
TEMPLE OF ISIS
This is a real jewel of Greek architecture and one of the best
preserved buildings in Pompeii. An inscription informs us that the
temple was restored in order to remedy the damage suffered as a
consequence of the earthquake of 62 A.D,: this has certainly
contributed to its present state of preservation, as can also be
said for the beautiful pictorial decoration which has now been
removed and is housed in the Archaeological Museum in Naples. The
building consists of a large rectangular space marked off by walls,
within which is the cella of the god raised up on a pedestal and
standing in a splendid niche. Of interest and great elegance is the
small temple - with its plaster decorations - situated in the
peristyle and used for the preservation of the Nile water considered
to be holy by the members of the cult of the Egyptian goddess Isis.
Adjacent to the temple there is also a space to accommodate the
priests' houses and for the meeting of the faithful.
TEMPLE OF JUPITER MEILICHIOS
This rather small building became the principal seat of the cult of
Jupiter and the Capitoline triad Jupiter-juno-Minerva, when the
larger temple of Jupiter on the Forum square was destroyed in the
earthquake of 62 A.D. Fragments of the statue of the lord of Olympus
were found among these very ruins. It is adorned with a large
tuffaceous altar.
TEMPLE OF FORTUNA AUGUSTA
(ins. 4) It was built in the I st century B.C. at the command of the
politician Marcus Tullius and is characterized by a pronaos
embellished with elegant columns placed above a staircase. In the
cella at one time were several statues, including one in honour of
the Emperor Augustus.
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