Temple of Fortuna August

Temple of Fortuna August

 

 

Address: Regio VII, Insula 1.4
Area: 227 square meters

 

Temple of Fortuna AugustTemple of Fortuna August stands at the corner of the intersection of Via del Foro and Via della Fortuna. The temple got its name from the inscription found during its excavations. It reads:

"Mark Tullius, the son of Marcus, the duumvir with the judiciary for the third time, the five-year duumvir, foreshadows the military tribune of the people’s choice, erected this temple of Fortuna Augusta on his own land and at his own expense."

Such inscriptions were usually placed on the entablature of the portico of public buildings. The portico, however, was destroyed by an earthquake of 62 years and has not yet been replaced. In general, the Romans are not much then rushed to the repair. For 17 years, they didn’t get their hands that way and raised the inscription to their place. The cella or the interior was also damaged.

Cella (C) of the Temple of Fortuna August is surrounded by four thin Corinthian columns along the facade and with 3 columns on the side. The temple itself stands on a raised podium. The altar (A) is located on a protruding platform in front of the podium and double staircase on both sides. The temple in many ways resembles the neighboring Temple of Jupiter.

 

Temple of Fortuna August  Temple of Fortuna August

Inside the cella (temple building) part of the central aedikula is still preserved. In the unit (D) stood the image of Fortune as guardian of the fate of Augustus and patroness of the royal family. The walls of the cella were originally lined with marble and there were four side niches in them (two in the north and two in the south). In each niche were statues, two of which were found. It would seem that both of these statues were associated with the priesthood of the temple itself, and not with members of the imperial family.

Marcus Tullius retained ownership of a narrow strip of land directly to the south of the temple on Via del Foro. Archaeologists found a basalt plate with the inscription: "M. Tulli M. f. Area privata", which translates as:

"Private property owned by Marcus Tullius, son of Marcus."