temples - roman

Question 1

what was portunus the god of?

Answer 1

harbours

Question 2

when was the temple of Portunus constructed?

Answer 2

it was constructed around 120-180BC

Question 3

where is the temple of Portunus?

Answer 3

in the forum Boarium, the cattle market, next to the Tiber which is also near the Ara Maxima and the Temple of Hercules Victor

Question 4

why was forum Boarium important?

Answer 4

important unloading point for goods brought up on the river Tiber

Question 5

name some features of the temple of Portunus

Answer 5

• 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)

Question 6

which features at the temple of Portunus were etruscan/greek?

Answer 6

etruscan - podium, steps
greek - inclusion of porch, free standing columns

Question 7

who are the Etruscans?

Answer 7

an ancient civilisation north of Rome (N italy)
note the word haruspex is Etruscan depicting their influence

Question 8

where were Roman temples always placed?

Answer 8

in a holy sanctuary, where the altar would also be near

Question 9

what did sanctuaries often have?

Answer 9

fresh water source at the entrance for people to wash their feet because it was important that holy sites were not polluted

Question 10

what is the greek term for polluted

Answer 10

miasma

Question 11

where is the forum boarium?

Answer 11

between Palatane in Aventine hills and next to tiber

Question 12

why is there no altar at the temple of Portunus?

Answer 12

trick question! we don’t know there just isn’t an altar

Question 13

Who was involved in the building of the Pantheon? When?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

who was the Pantheon dedicated to?

Answer 14

to all the Gods
pan - all (translation)
+ it was decorated with many statues of Gods

Question 15

where is the Pantheon?

Answer 15

located in the ancient Roman campus Martius (Field of Mars) which was a large open area where Romans would do general exercise

Question 16

what does the front of the Pantheon look like?

Answer 16

stands on a small splinth, the front columns are free standing, has semi-engaged columns on the rear of the porch

Question 17

what does the pediment at the Pantheon depict?

Answer 17

they would have contained many sculptures which are now lost. however, Emporer Hadrian restoered the original inscription on the frieze

Question 18

what are some generic features fo a Roman temple?

Answer 18

podium (etruscan)-raised platform, semi-engaged column, colonnade, steps, porch (pronaos), cella (akanaos)

Question 19

similiarities of greek and roman temples?

Answer 19

inclusion of porch, free standing front columns,both have a cella, both dedicated to Gods, worship, sacrifice, both have altars and cult statues

Question 20

differences of greek and roman temples?

Answer 20

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)

Question 21

what were some unusual features of the Pantheon?

Answer 21

the rear of the temple formed a huge rotunda, enormous dome (unsupported), coffered design of dome, oculus

Question 22

how many columns are at the front of the Pantheon? where are they from?

Answer 22

8 free-standing columns,
coloured marble bases and monoliths made form single pieces of stone from Africa - influted columns (they have ridges)

Question 23

what is special about the roof at the Pantheon?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

why was the Panthoen particularly spectacular?

Answer 24

the rotunda would have been concealed by other columns, creating an element of surprise

Question 25

how was the name of the Pantheon debated?

Answer 25

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)

Question 26

what shape was the cella at the pantheon?

Answer 26

circular

Question 27

why is the dome so dynamic at the pantheon?

Answer 27

because it is a perfect hemisphere

Question 28

how did they make the oculus and dome at the Pantheon?

Answer 28

they made the dome using wooden structures aka scaffolding for concrete and then they took the wood away

Question 29

what would the pantheon also have had but doesn’t now?

Answer 29

a podium (the street level has risen since)

Question 30

did the Pantheon have a porch?

Answer 30

yes