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Address: Regio VII, Insula 1.4
Area: 227 square meters
The Temple of Fortuna Augusta, also known as the Tempio della Fortuna Augusta, is a small but significant Roman temple in Pompeii dedicated to Fortuna Augusta—the goddess Fortuna in her aspect as protector of the emperor Augustus and the imperial family. Constructed in the early 1st century AD, it exemplifies the imperial cult's integration into local religious life, reflecting Pompeii's loyalty to Rome during the Augustan era. The temple was built on private land by a prominent local magistrate and served as a site for worship, offerings, and civic ceremonies. Severely damaged by the AD 62 earthquake and only partially restored by the time of the AD 79 Vesuvius eruption, its ruins provide insights into Roman religious architecture, patronage, and post-disaster recovery efforts. Excavated in the early 19th century, the temple is one of Pompeii's best-preserved podium temples, with modern restorations enhancing its visibility. It highlights the blending of traditional Italic temple designs with Hellenistic influences, and its artifacts, including statues and inscriptions, are now primarily housed in museums like the Naples Archaeological Museum.
The Temple of Fortuna Augusta is located in Regio VII, Insula 4.1, on the north side of Via della Fortuna (also known as Via del Foro or Strada della Fortuna), just east of the main Forum and near the intersection with Vicolo della Regina. This central position placed it along a major thoroughfare connecting the Forum to the eastern parts of the city, making it a prominent landmark for visitors entering from the Porta Marina or other gates. The temple faces south toward the street, with its façade aligned with adjacent buildings, including shops and houses that formed part of the urban fabric. Its proximity to the Forum (about 50 meters west) and other civic structures like the Basilica underscored its role in public life. Coordinates are approximately 40.7502° N, 14.4845° E, within the Pompeii Archaeological Park, and it is easily accessible from the site's main entrances.
The temple was constructed around 3–1 BC by Marcus Tullius, a wealthy
local politician and relative of the famous orator Cicero (Marcus
Tullius Cicero). As a duumvir (magistrate) with judicial power, augur,
and military tribune, Tullius funded the project on his own land and at
his own expense, as recorded in a dedicatory inscription: "M. Tullius
M.f. d.v.i.d. ter. quinq. augur. trib.mil.a.p. aedem Fortunae Augustae
solo et pecunia sua" (Marcus Tullius, son of Marcus, duumvir with
judicial power three times, quinquennial, augur, military tribune by
popular demand, built the Temple of Fortuna Augusta on his own land and
at his own expense). This act of euergetism (public benefaction)
promoted the imperial cult, linking local devotion to Augustus's divine
fortune and ensuring Tullius's legacy in Pompeii. The temple celebrated
Augustus and his successors, serving as a focal point for rituals
honoring the emperor's protective deity.
The structure was heavily
damaged in the AD 62 earthquake, which collapsed much of the upper
architecture, including columns and entablature. Restoration efforts
were underway but incomplete by AD 79, with evidence of dismantled
elements and unfinished repairs at the time of the eruption. Buried
under ash and pumice, it remained preserved until excavations began in
1823 under Bourbon archaeologists, with further digs in 1826 and 1859
uncovering the podium, altar, and artifacts. Restorations in 1908
stabilized the ruins, and additional work in the 20th century, including
post-World War II repairs after bombing damage, ensured its survival.
Recent studies, such as those by the Pompeii Forum Project, have
reappraised its urban context, linking it to nearby structures like the
Basilica and Via della Fortuna neighborhood.
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The Temple of Fortuna Augusta is a prostyle podium temple, typical
of Roman design with Italic and Hellenistic elements, measuring
approximately 12 meters wide by 20 meters long. It stands on a high
tuff podium (about 2.5 meters tall) accessed by a broad flight of
nine marble-clad steps spanning the full width of the façade,
leading to a pronaos (porch) supported by four Corinthian columns at
the front and two antae (pilasters) on the sides. The columns,
originally of Nocera tuff stuccoed to resemble marble, flanked a
deep pronaos that provided space for rituals. Behind the pronaos is
the cella (inner chamber), a rectangular room with thick walls and a
vaulted ceiling (partially reconstructed). The cella features five
niches: a large central one for the cult statue of Fortuna and four
smaller ones for statues of Augustus and possibly other imperial
family members or deities.
The temple's layout mirrors larger
structures like the Temple of Jupiter in the Forum, but on a smaller
scale, without a surrounding colonnade due to space constraints. The
podium includes internal chambers, possibly for storage of votive
offerings or priestly use. An altar, faced with marble and
positioned in front of the steps, served as the focal point for
sacrifices. The overall design emphasized elevation and visibility
from the street, integrating the temple into the urban landscape
while symbolizing imperial power.
Decorations were lavish, with the façade and interior clad in white
marble, stucco, and painted details in the Fourth Style, though much
was lost to the earthquake and eruption. The columns and entablature
featured ornate Corinthian capitals with acanthus leaves, and the
pediment likely held reliefs or inscriptions (now fragmentary).
Inside the cella, niches were framed with stucco moldings, and the
walls may have had painted panels depicting mythological scenes
related to Fortuna, such as fortune-bringing motifs or imperial
triumphs, though no frescoes survive in situ.
Key artifacts
include:
Dedicatory Inscription: The large marble slab from the
façade, now in the Naples Archaeological Museum (inv. 3725),
detailing Tullius's patronage.
Statues: Marble statues of Fortuna
(holding a cornucopia and rudder, symbols of prosperity and
guidance), Augustus as pontifex maximus, and possibly Livia or other
figures, excavated in 1823–1826 and transferred to Naples (inv.
numbers include 6041 for Fortuna).
Altar and Votive Items: The
marble altar with reliefs of sacrificial scenes; fragments of lamps,
pottery, and bronze offerings found during digs, indicating active
use.
No human remains were associated with the temple, unlike
residential sites.
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The temple was a center for the imperial cult, where priests (ministri Fortunae Augustae) conducted rituals, including processions that may have started or passed here, as depicted in nearby frescoes like those in the Shop of the Carpenter's Procession. It symbolized Pompeii's alignment with Roman imperial ideology, blending local traditions with Augustan propaganda to foster civic unity and loyalty.
As of August 25, 2025, the Temple of Fortuna Augusta is open to the public within the Pompeii Archaeological Park, with visiting hours from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM during summer). The site is well-preserved, with the podium, steps, and partial columns visible; modern reconstructions (e.g., 1908 restorations) aid interpretation, though ongoing conservation addresses weathering and tourism impacts. Access requires a park ticket (€16–€18), and guided tours or audio guides are recommended for context. The temple is wheelchair-accessible via ramps, but uneven terrain may require assistance. Informational panels detail its history, and nearby attractions like the Forum and Basilica enhance visits. Artifacts are displayed in the Naples Archaeological Museum and Pompeii's Antiquarium, with virtual tours available online.