Encyclopedia Ichnographica | Templum Bellonae | 1 |
Templum Bellonae |
templum : literally, a space marked out; hence, in particular, in augury, an open place for observation, marked out by the auger with his staff : an open, clear, broad space, a curcuit : a consecrated or sacred place, a sanctuary : a place dedicated to some particular deity, a fane, temple, shrine
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The oldest temples in this district were those dedicated to Bellona and Apollo. According to one account, the temple of Bellona was built by Appius Claudius Regillensis, who in 495 B.C. set up in this temple the statues of his ancestors; according to another, a temple to Bellona was vowed by Appius Claudius Caecus in 296 B.C. The most probable explanation is that the later Claudius rebuilt the edifice which his ancestor had erected at a much earlier date. This temple is mentioned as existing in the second century, but no trace of it has been found. It stood without doubt near the west, or pulvinar, end of the circus Flaminius, as inscriptions record an aedes Bellonae Pulvinensis, which is probably the same temple. Considerable importance attached to this temple during the republic, as it was used for sessions of the senate at which victorious generals presented theirs claims for a triumph. This could not be done within the pomerium. Near the temple was a small area which a soldier of Pyrrhus had been forced to buy in order that it might represent foreign soil. In this area was the so-called column bellica, representing a boundary stone, over which the fetialis cast his spear when declaring war in due form against a foreign foe. (Platner) |
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Quondam © 2008.07.08 |