For some years it had been known that a temple once stood in the rectangular block south of the strada della Marina; and in 1898 workmen excavating here began to uncover the massive foundations. When the volcanic deposits had been removed it was seen that the court of the temple, with the surrounding colonnade, occupied the whole area between the Basilica and the west wall of the long room now used as a Museum. On the podium (Fig. 55) was found a part of a statuette of Venus, of the familiar type which represents the goddess as preparing to enter the bath; it was probably a votive offering set up by some worshipper. In the subterranean passageway entered near the southeast corner (Fig. 54, IV) the excavators found another votive offering, a bronze steering paddle of the kind shown in paintings as an attribute of Venus Pompeiana; an example may be seen in Fig. 4 (p. 12). From these indications, as well as from the size of the temple and its location, near the Forum and on an elevation commanding a wide view of the sea, we are safe in assigning the sanctuary to Venus Pompeiana, the patron divinity of Roman Pompeii. Prior to the founding of the Roman colony the site of the temple had been occupied by houses, built in several stories on the edge of the hill, which here slopes sharply toward the southwest; remains of the houses, which must have resembled those farther east (an example is the house of the Emperor Joseph II, p. 344), have been brought to light in the course of the excavations. In less than a century and a half the temple was twice built, twice destroyed; a third building was in progress at the time of the eruption. [Illustration: Fig. 54.--Plan of the temple of Venus Pompeiana. I, II. Remains of podium of first and second temples. III. Altar. IV. Entrance to underground passage. V, VI. Pedestals. A-B, C-D-E. Foundations of walls of court of first temple. F-G-G', G"-H-I. Foundation of stylobate of colonnade of first temple, with gutter. A'-B'. Foundation of rear wall of rooms opening on colonnade of first temple. _a-b-c-d._ Walls of court of second temple. _e-f-g-h_, _e'-f'_, _g'-h'_. Foundations of colonnade of second temple--two rows of columns on each side, a single row at the rear. K. Main entrance of court of second temple. L. Smaller entrance of court of second temple. _x_, _y_, _z_. Old foundation walls having nothing to do with the temple. ~A~-~B~-~C~-~C'~-~B'~. Enlargement of podium for third temple.]