The Temple of Hercules is located, together with the Temple of Portunus, in the archaeological area of the Forum Boarium, which was the ancient meat market of Rome. Known since the Renaissance as the Temple of Vesta, in analogy to the one in the Roman Forum, it was later attributed to Hercules Victor, a deity already present in that area. The Temple is the oldest existing marble building in Rome. It was built in Pentelic Greek marble in the 1st century BC; restorations in Luna marble date back to the age of Tiberius. In the 12th century, it was transformed into a church dedicated to Saint Stephen in the Round and then to Santa Maria del Sole in the 16th century. Inside the cella, some frescoes from the late 1400s have been recovered.
The rectangular Temple of Portunus represents an important testimony of ancient Roman architecture, almost intact in its structure.
The construction does not conform to Greek art canons and is attributable, in its initial phase, to the 4th or 3rd century BC, although it was probably restored after 70 BC..
The temple was set in a scenic environment of which both the temple dedicated to Hercules and the nearby temple complexes of Mater Natura and San Nicola in Carcere were an integral part.
In the 9th century, the structures of the Temple of Portunus were converted into a Christian church, which nevertheless kept the external layout intact. Initially dedicated to Santa Maria “Secundicerii”, then to Santa Maria Egiziaca, patron saint of prostitutes, the church has been refurbished several times over the centuries.
In 1916, the church was removed to restore the temple’s ancient appearance: during the works, a cycle of early medieval frescoes emerged, immediately recognized as a unique testimony of its kind, now made more readable and fascinating by a recent restoration.
Information about Temple of Hercules and Portunus at the Forum Boarium
Piazza Bocca della Verità
Rome (Rome)
sandra.terranova@beniculturali.it
https://archeoroma.beniculturali.it
Source: MIBACT
