Thursday, April 23, 2015

Picture of the Moment - The Temple of Castor and Pollux, Rome


Built to commemorate victory of the fledgling Roman Republic at the Battle of Lake Regillus (490s BC), the Temple of Castor and Pollux (It. Tempio dei Dioscuri) is located in the Forum of Rome and is one of its prominent landmarks.

The temple was a meeting place for the Roman Senate during the Republican period, and it was rebuilt several times after natural disasters, the last refitting completed in 6 AD by (eventual Emperor) Tiberius. Most of what is visible today is from that last reconstruction. The temple was a treasury building during the imperial period and the office housing the standards of weights and measures, and it had a high podium fronted by a tribunal suitable for public speaking.

Known as the Dioscuri, the gods Castor and Pollux were twin sons of Leda and Jupiter who allegedly appeared to the victors after the legendary battle. I visited here in August, 2013.