The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Italy

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Description: The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (Templum Divi Antonini et Divae Faustinae) was built by the emperor Antoninus Pius shortly after the death of his beloved wife Faustina (the Elder) in 141 CE. After the death of Antoninus Pius in 161 CE the dedication was change to both Antoninus and Faustina. The temple is located on the Via Sacra between the Temple of Romulus and the Basilica Aemilia, in front of the Regia. Access to the porch was by a broad stairway, of which only the three lower steps are original. The current stairway is a reconstruction. In the middle of the steps were a semi-circular recess where an altar stood. Coins showing the temple depict statues on the porch, and remains of some statues have been found nearby. Pieces of two over life-size statues of Antoninus Pius and Faustina are probably from the cult statues of the temple. They have probably been taken outside and smashed to pieces when the non-Christian cults were forbidden in the late 4th century CE. Some coins also show the area in front of the temple fenced off. There are several graffiti on the columns of the temple, several showing monuments and statues found nearby in the Forum. The columns have some diagonal grooves on the upper half. It is now known with certainty why they are there. One explanation is that ropes have been attached there in an attempt to tear down the entire pronaos of the temple, either by Christian zealots to destroy a pagan sanctuary, or simply to use the marble to burn limestone. The grooves are from the rubbing effect of the rope when repeated attempts were made overturn the columns. Another explanation is that the grooves are from the attachment of a temporary roof over the building in the 14th century. The remains of the temple was converted into a church, San Lorenzo in Miranda, in the 7th or 8th century, for which it owes its splendid conservation. The baroque pediment behind the colonnade is from this church.

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