Christian antiquities -- Italy -- Rome; Rome (Italy) -- Antiquities
Ancient temples as galleries of art.--The adornment of statues
with jewelry, etc.--Offerings and sacrifices by
individuals.--Stores of ex-votos found in the _favissæ_ or vaults
of temples.--Instances of these brought to light within recent
years.--Remarkable wealth of one at Veii.--The altars of ancient
Rome.--The _ara maxima Herculis_.--The _Roma Quadrata_.--The
altar of Aius Locutius.--That of Dis and Proserpina.--Its
connection with the Sæcular Games.--The discovery of the
inscription describing these, in 1890.--The _ara pacis
Augustæ_.--The _ara incendii Neroniani_.--Temples excavated in my
time.--That of Jupiter Capitolinus.--History of its ruins.--The
Capitol as a place for posting official announcements.--The
Temple of Isis and Serapis.--The number of sculptures discovered
on its site.--The Temple of Neptune.--Its remains in the Piazza
di Pietra.--The Temple of Augustus.--The _Sacellum Sanci_.
Ancient guide-books of Rome, published in the middle of the fourth
century,[34] mention four hundred and twenty-four temples, three
hundred and four shrines, eighty statues of gods, of precious metal,
sixty-four of ivory, and three thousand seven hundred and eighty-five
miscellaneous bronze statues. The number of marble statues is not
given. It has been said, however, that Rome had two populations of
equal size, one alive, and one of marble.
I have had the opportunity of witnessing or conducting the discovery
of several temples, altars, shrines, and bronze statues. The number of
marble statues and busts discovered in the last twenty-five years,
either in Rome or the Campagna, may be stated at one thousand.
Before beginning the description of these beautiful monuments, I must
allude to some details concerning the management and organization of
ancient places of worship, upon which recent discoveries have thrown a
considerable, and in some cases, unexpected light.
Roman temples, like the churches of the present day, were used not
only as places of worship, but as galleries of pictures, museums of
statuary, and "cabinets" of precious objects. In chapter v. of
"Ancient Rome," I have given the catalogue of the works of art
displayed in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine. The list includes:
The Apollo and Artemis driving a quadriga, by Lysias; fifty statues of
the Danaids; fifty of the sons of Egypt; the Herakles of Lysippos;
Augustus with the attributes of Apollo (a bronze statue fifty feet
high); the pediment of the temple, by Bupalos and Anthermos; statues
of Apollo, by Skopas; Leto, by Kephisodotos, son of Praxiteles;
Artemis, by Timotheos; and the nine Muses; also a chandelier, formerly
dedicated by Alexander the Great at Kyme; medallions of eminent men; a
collection of gold plate; another of gems and intaglios; ivory
carvings; specimens of palæography; and two libraries.
[Illustration: Entablature of the Temple of Concord.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account