Temples - Rome - Temple of Vesta Flashcards
Where was it located?
Roman Forum
What two buildings was it near in the forum?
Regia and House of the Vestal Virgins
Was it greek or roman architecture?
Greek
What type of columns surrounded the cella?
Corinthian
How many columns surrounded the central cella?
20 corinthian columns
Was it on a podium?
Yes
How high was the podium in which it stood?
15m
What did the roof have at the apex?
Vent
Why was there a vent at the apex?
To allow smoke release
Why did it have a eastern entrance?
Symbolise the connection between Vesta’s fire and the sun as sources of life
Where was the entrance from?
The east
What did many romans believe the extinction of the flame meant?
Sign of disaster
What was it made out of?
Marble
Where did the cult activity date as far back as?
7th century BCE
Who was it built by?
Pompollius
What did Pompollius also build?
The Regia and house of the vestal virgins
Where did it stand?
In the sacred Grove
What was the sacred grove?
Graveyard for priests etc
What was in the cella instead of a cult statue?
A hearth that contained a sacred flame
What was its other function?
Storehouse for legal wills and documents of Roman senators
What cult object was found there?
The palladium
Why did it burn twice?
Once in the fire of rome
What was it built in imitation of?
A primitive round hut
What does the hearth fire symbolize?
Purity of Roman State
What was unusual about this temple?
It didn’t contain any images of Vesta
