Temple of Mars Ultor

Temple of Mars Ultor

(Temple of Mars Ultor upon completion of its construction in 2BC)

The temple of Mars Ultor also known as the Forum of Augustus was finished in the year 2 BC. It was a built to honor Augustus' victory in the battle of Philippi which took place 40 years earlier. Fittingly for a temple made to commemorate a battle the temple also pays tribute and honors Mars the Roman god of war. The temple was used a place to hold war related strategy meetings as well as other military meetings.

The temple was designed to reflect the style of the nearby Temple of Venus in Caesar’s Forum and so create an architectural harmony. There was one notable difference, though, in that the temple of Mars Ultor was made one and a half times bigger. The temple, typical of Roman architecture, was built on a raised platform and entranced via steps which were originally flanked by fountains, once again, in imitation of the arrangement outside the Temple of Venus. (     )

(Plan View)

In terms of use the temple has three main entrances directly on axis with the inner cella which housed a large statue of Mars. The prominent entrance to the inside is common with most Roman temples with a heavily defined axis with one clear point of entry. The colonnades to the right and left of the main courtyard might have acted as meeting grounds to discuss ideas or strategy. When the colonnades are about even with the entrance to the cella they open up into half circles effectively slowing the pace to a halt and most likely hosted most of the activities off to the side. After moving up the steps toward the cella there is another sequence of columns you pass through before going inside. Inside there are Corinthian columns on both sides supporting the roof while the statue lies on the orginal axis with its back up against the wall.

Today little to none of the temple stands, though there are still some columns standing and a majority of the main steps remain but besides that the temple of Mars Ultor is mostly rubble.

Works Cited

"Temple of Mars Ultor in the Forum of Augustus." Temple of Mars Ultor in the Forum of Augustus. University of Virginia, 5 Mar. 2005. Web. 30 Oct. 2016.

Simpson, C. J. “The Date of Dedication of the Temple of Mars Ultor.” The Journal of Roman Studies, vol. 67, 1977, pp. 91–94. www.jstor.org/stable/299921.