Ancient Roman Temples

Overview and list of Roman Religious Sites Across the Roman Empire

Ancient Roman temples were central to Roman culture and religion. They served as important architectural structures, although few remain intact today. Every significant town in ancient Rome had at least one main temple, along with smaller shrines. The main room, known as the cella, housed the cult image of the deity. It often included a table for offerings and a small altar for incense. Most public ceremonies occurred outside the cella, where crowds gathered around the sacrificial altar.

Roman Temples You Can Still Visit Today

Introduction to Roman Temples

The typical Roman temple had a rectangular shape, raised on a high podium. It featured a clear front with a portico at the top of steps and a triangular pediment above columns. The sides and rear of the temple were less emphasized architecturally and usually lacked entrances. Circular temple designs also existed, often surrounded by columns. Roman temples evolved from Etruscan designs, which were influenced by Greek architecture. This blend of styles created a unique Roman temple form.

Public religious ceremonies in ancient Rome were primarily conducted outdoors. These ceremonies often included processions that began or ended at a temple or shrine. Ritual objects were stored in temples and brought out for use during these events. Sacrifices, mainly of animals, occurred at open-air altars within the templum, often located on extensions of the podium. During the Empire, various foreign cults gained followers, introducing different worship practices, including underground worship and house gatherings.

Many Roman temples have left remnants, particularly in Rome. However, most near-complete examples were converted into Christian churches over time. The transition often occurred long after Christianity became prominent under Emperor Constantine. The appropriation of temples by the government began with a decree from Emperor Honorius in 415 AD. The Pantheon is one of the best-known temples, notable for its large circular design and concrete roof, which is atypical of Roman temple architecture.

The term “temple” derives from the Latin word templum, which originally referred to a sacred space rather than the building itself. The Roman architect Vitruvius used templum to describe the sacred precinct.

The design of Roman temples was primarily influenced by Etruscan models. However, during the late Republic, Greek classical and Hellenistic styles became more prevalent. Etruscan architecture emphasized the front of the building, which was consistent with Greek temple models. Roman temples typically featured wide steps leading to a portico, a pronaos, and a triangular pediment. Unlike Greek temples, Roman designs often had less decoration on the sides and rear.

Construction Techniques and Materials

Roman temples were constructed using various materials, including stone and terracotta. The Etruscans contributed to the use of terracotta for decorative elements. The front of the temple often displayed inscriptions detailing the builder’s name, carved into the stone and filled with paint. In major imperial monuments, letters were cast in lead and painted or gilded. Archaeologists can reconstruct these inscriptions from peg holes left in the stone.

Sculptural decoration in Roman temples resembled that of Greek temples. This included pedimental sculptures and relief figures, although exterior friezes were less common. Many decorative elements, such as acroteria and antefixes, were brightly colored. In the early Empire, older Greek statues were sometimes reused as decorative elements on temples.

Variations in Temple Design

Roman architects often incorporated local styles into temple designs, especially in regions like Egypt and the Near East. The Romano-Celtic temple style was prevalent in Roman Britain, characterized by simple designs and minimal use of stone. These temples were often square and featured an ambulatory, lacking classical architectural elements. This style showed continuity with pre-Roman Celtic religious structures.

Circular temples were also constructed by the Romans, often inspired by Greek models. Temples dedicated to the goddess Vesta typically had a circular shape. The Temple of Hercules Victor in Rome is an example of a circular temple with an unbroken colonnade. Other notable circular designs include the Pantheon and the Temple of Venus at Baalbek, each showcasing unique architectural features.

Caesareum: Temples of the Imperial Cult

A caesareum was a temple dedicated to the Imperial cult, found throughout the Roman Empire. These temples were often funded by the imperial government and became the primary large temple in newly established Roman towns. In Rome, a caesareum was located within the religious precinct of the Arval Brothers. The Caesareum of Alexandria, initiated by Cleopatra VII, was converted by Augustus for his own cult.

Modern Interpretations of Roman Temples

Modern architecture has seen adaptations of the Roman temple form, particularly in the 18th century. Examples include La Madeleine in Paris and the Virginia State Capitol. Circular temple designs have also inspired modern buildings, such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the United States Capitol. The Pantheon, with its unique circular domed cella, has been widely imitated in contemporary architecture.