Mars Ultor Temple
In the year 2 BC The Augustus Forum with the associated Mars-Ultor-Temple was inaugurated by Emperor Augustus in Rome . The center of the Augustus Forum is the Temple of Mars Ultor , the avenging Mars. This forum was the second of the four imperial forums in Rome. It was an extension of the Roman Forum .
The complex with forum and temple was built by Augustus in 42 BC. Planned, but it took 40 years until its inauguration. Originally conceived to demonstrate the successor to Octavian and in memory of the Battle of Philippi (42 BC), when it was completed it served as a symbol of the principle of ideology and the reconciliation of the emperor with the senate .
Architecture and location
The temple interior was splendidly decorated. The building was made of Carrara marble and eight Corinthian columns lined the front and sides of the building. (→ Augustan Classicism ) In the center of the temple (gable field or large apse) there was a statue of Mars, depicted as a peacemaker and not as usual as a god of war - but still as a symbol of Roman world domination through one foot on the globe. On his right stood Venus and Rome , on the left Fortuna and Romulus. The Capitol and Tiber were represented by allegorical figures.
Statues and busts of victorious generals, deserving officials, kings, mythological figures and poets stood in the columned halls and exedra. Sixty caryatids as well as female trusses embodied the submission of foreign peoples. In front of the temple there was very likely a quadriga showing Augustus in triumph . The base inscription read " pater patriae " - father of the fatherland. The ruins of the Augustus Forum were used for palaces from 1200. The complex was located in the center of Rome, northeast of the Capitol . It was directly connected to the Forum Iulium .
Function and meaning
The temple area was deliberately built directly in the housing estates in order to represent Augustus as a ruler who seeks communication with his people. It was used to keep Caesar's sword and the 20 BC. Chr. By the Parthians recovered ensigns . The laurel wreaths of the triumphators were also laid here. Furthermore, governors sent to the provinces were passed and the Senate made decisions on wars and triumphs. Furthermore, the creation of the "toga virilis" took place here.
The Augustus Forum was intended to portray the emperor as part of Roman history. He was equated here with the great figures of Roman history and mythology. It also served as a religious representation of Augustus, who since 41 BC. Chr. Took over more and more priesthood.
literature
- Joachim Ganzert : The Mars-Ultor-Tempel on the Augustusforum in Rome (= special publications of the German Archaeological Institute. Roman Department. Volume 11). Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1996, ISBN 3805317824 .
- Joachim Ganzert: In the Holy of Holies of the Augustus Forum (= special volumes of the ancient world; Zabern's illustrated books on archeology ). Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 2000.
- Henner von Hesberg : Archaeological monuments to the Roman imperial cult. In: Rise and Fall of the Roman World . Row II, Volume 16.2. De Gruyter, Berlin 1978, pp. 911-995.
- Paul Zanker : Augustus and the power of images. 2nd revised edition. Beck, Munich 1990, pp. 196-216.
- Robert Maxwell Ogilvie : ... and rebuilt the temples. The Romans and their Gods in the Age of Augustus. (1969). Deutscher Taschenbuch-Verlag, Munich 1984, pp. 119–130.
Coordinates: 41 ° 53 ′ 39.4 " N , 12 ° 29 ′ 12.6" E