temples - roman Flashcards
needs to be finished
what was portunus the god of?
harbours
when was the temple of Portunus constructed?
it was constructed around 120-180BC
where is the temple of Portunus?
in the forum Boarium, the cattle market, next to the Tiber which is also near the Ara Maxima and the Temple of Hercules Victor
why was forum Boarium important?
important unloading point for goods brought up on the river Tiber
name some features of the temple of Portunus
- free standing front columns
- ionic columns (greek)
- pediment
- entableture (the upper part of a classical building supported by columns or a colonnade, comprising the architrave, frieze, and cornice.)
- freize (greek)
- porch (greek)
- inside there was a cella
- semi engaged columns
- podium (raised base)
- steps
NO ALTAR
(behind the temple is the Ara Maxima aka Hercules’ statue)
which features at the temple of Portunus were etruscan/greek?
etruscan - podium, steps
greek - inclusion of porch, free standing columns
who are the Etruscans?
an ancient civilisation north of Rome (N italy)
note the word haruspex is Etruscan depicting their influence
where were Roman temples always placed?
in a holy sanctuary, where the altar would also be near
what did sanctuaries often have?
fresh water source at the entrance for people to wash their feet because it was important that holy sites were not polluted
what is the greek term for polluted
miasma
where is the forum boarium?
between Palatane in Aventine hills and next to tiber
why is there no altar at the temple of Portunus?
trick question! we don’t know there just isn’t an altar
Who was involved in the building of the Pantheon? When?
it was commissioned by Augustus and built by general Marcus Agrippa between 27-25BC. then is burnt down in 80AD and later rebuilt in 125AD by Emporer Hadrian
who was the Pantheon dedicated to?
to all the Gods
pan - all (translation)
+ it was decorated with many statues of Gods
where is the Pantheon?
located in the ancient Roman campus Martius (Field of Mars) which was a large open area where Romans would do general exercise
what does the front of the Pantheon look like?
stands on a small splinth, the front columns are free standing, has semi-engaged columns on the rear of the porch
what does the pediment at the Pantheon depict?
they would have contained many sculptures which are now lost. however, Emporer Hadrian restoered the original inscription on the frieze
what are some generic features fo a Roman temple?
podium (etruscan)-raised platform, semi-engaged column, colonnade, steps, porch (pronaos), cella (akanaos)
similiarities of greek and roman temples?
inclusion of porch, free standing front columns,both have a cella, both dedicated to Gods, worship, sacrifice, both have altars and cult statues
differences of greek and roman temples?
podium, steps leading up to the temple and the raised podium, semi engaged columns, in greek temples there is a colonnade surrounding the temple, romans didn’t have an opisthodomos (treasury)
what were some unusual features of the Pantheon?
the rear of the temple formed a huge rotunda, enormous dome (unsupported), coffered design of dome, oculus
how many columns are at the front of the Pantheon? where are they from?
8 free-standing columns,
coloured marble bases and monoliths made form single pieces of stone from Africa - influted columns (they have ridges)
what is special about the roof at the Pantheon?
it is a (concrete (brick)) dome. it is unsupported. which is only made possible with the coffered design
there is also a frieze of false windows.
The Pantheon also originally had gilded rosettes (one in each coffer).
in the middle of the roof was an oculus which could’ve acted like a sundial that let sunlight in (potentially to illuminate particular parts of the ceiling on specific holy days in the calendar
why was the Panthoen particularly spectacular?
the rotunda would have been concealed by other columns, creating an element of surprise
how was the name of the Pantheon debated?
because it could be a temple to ALL gods (due to the many cult statues) or because of its roof it represents the heavens (in Dio’s opinion)
what shape was the cella at the pantheon?
circular
why is the dome so dynamic at the pantheon?
because it is a perfect hemisphere
how did they make the oculus and dome at the Pantheon?
they made the dome using wooden structures aka scaffolding for concrete and then they took the wood away
what would the pantheon also have had but doesn’t now?
a podium (the street level has risen since)
did the Pantheon have a porch?
yes
