Temple of Venus and Roma (121-135 AD) (Rome)
Italy /
Lazio /
Rome /
Piazza di Santa Maria Nova
World
/ Italy
/ Lazio
/ Rome
World / Italy / Lazio / Roma
Ancient Roman temple, 2nd century construction
The Temple of Venus and Roma, located on the east side of the Roman Forum next to the Colosseum. Dedicated in 135 AD by Emperor Hadrian to "Venus Felix et Roma Aeterna" ("Favorable Venus and Eternal Rome"), for Venus (the goddess of love) and Roma (a goddess that personified the Roman state).
As an additional clever subtlety by Hadrian, Venus also represented love (Amor in Latin), and "AMOR" is "ROMA" spelled backwards. Thus, placing the two divinities of Venus and Rome back-to-back in a single temple created a further symmetry with the back-to-back symmetry of their names as well. Within Venus' cella was another altar where newly wed couples could make sacrifices. Directly adjacent to this altar stood gigantic silver statues of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AznJjQO2fQ0
As an additional clever subtlety by Hadrian, Venus also represented love (Amor in Latin), and "AMOR" is "ROMA" spelled backwards. Thus, placing the two divinities of Venus and Rome back-to-back in a single temple created a further symmetry with the back-to-back symmetry of their names as well. Within Venus' cella was another altar where newly wed couples could make sacrifices. Directly adjacent to this altar stood gigantic silver statues of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AznJjQO2fQ0
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Venus_and_Roma
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 41°53'27"N 12°29'23"E
- Trajan Baths - main complex 0.5 km
- Forum of Trajan 0.8 km
- Portus, The Harbor of Trajan 23 km
- Trajan's Bridge 879 km
- Ancient Cultural and Communication Complex Serdika 896 km
- Nicopolis ad Nestum 939 km
- Amphitheater Trier 984 km
- Ancient Stronghold Ulpia Augusta Traiana 1084 km
- Nicopolis ad Istrum 1085 km
- Fortification Wall 2263 km
- Roman Forum 0.3 km
- Palatine Hill 0.4 km
- Campitelli 0.4 km
- Monti 0.6 km
- Caelian Hill 0.7 km
- Ripa 0.9 km
- The Jewish Ghetto 1 km
- Celio 1.1 km
- Aventine Hill 1.1 km
- Rome historical centre 1.6 km
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