Temple of Castor and Pollux_0561 . . . . . press L key
The original temple was built in 483 BC by the infant Roman Republic in gratitude for a major military victory in the previous decade. According to legend, Castor and Pollux appeared on the battlefield as two able horsemen in aid of the Republic; and after the battle had been won they appeared in the Forum in Rome to announce the victory. The temple stands on the supposed site of their appearance. In 14 BC the temple was destroyed in a fire that ravaged major parts of the Forum. It was rebuilt by Tiberius, the future Emperor, and dedicated in AD 6. The remains visible today are from the temple of Tiberius.
According to Edward Gibbon, the temple served as a secret meeting place for the Roman Senate at least into the 3rd century. Of its subsequent Hx nothing is known except that in the 15th century only the three columns of its original structure were still standing.
The large white marble monument in the background was built between 1885 and 1935 to honour Victor Emmanuel II who in 1861 became the first king of a united Italy since the fall of the Roman Empire in the west in the middle of the 5th century.
© Irwin Reynolds, all rights reserved. If you are interested in using one of my images or would like a high-quality fine art print, please send an email to irwinreynolds@me.com.
Temple of Castor and Pollux_0561 . . . . . press L key
The original temple was built in 483 BC by the infant Roman Republic in gratitude for a major military victory in the previous decade. According to legend, Castor and Pollux appeared on the battlefield as two able horsemen in aid of the Republic; and after the battle had been won they appeared in the Forum in Rome to announce the victory. The temple stands on the supposed site of their appearance. In 14 BC the temple was destroyed in a fire that ravaged major parts of the Forum. It was rebuilt by Tiberius, the future Emperor, and dedicated in AD 6. The remains visible today are from the temple of Tiberius.
According to Edward Gibbon, the temple served as a secret meeting place for the Roman Senate at least into the 3rd century. Of its subsequent Hx nothing is known except that in the 15th century only the three columns of its original structure were still standing.
The large white marble monument in the background was built between 1885 and 1935 to honour Victor Emmanuel II who in 1861 became the first king of a united Italy since the fall of the Roman Empire in the west in the middle of the 5th century.
© Irwin Reynolds, all rights reserved. If you are interested in using one of my images or would like a high-quality fine art print, please send an email to irwinreynolds@me.com.