engleski

Roman Forum Temples in Pula – Religious and Public Use

The Roman temples situated to the northwest of the forum in Pula differ in regard to their historical and functional destinies . The first large Roman Republican temple (18.50 m x 33.50 m) was demolished in the civil wars between Anthony and Augustus. After the establishment of Augustus’ rule, the Capitolium was restructured and enlarged. The Temple of Augustus and Roma (17.85 m x 8.05 m) and the Temple of Diana were built respectively to the west and to the east of the central temple, in its immediate vicinity. The Temple of Augustus and Roma was built on the earthwork to the west of the Capitolium base, or, more precisely, to the west of the older Roman Republican central temple. Its south and north sides are respectively 1.22 m and 1.43 m from the elevated base of the Capitolium. According to some authors, the so-called Temple of Diana was built after 37 AD, and its function was that of a curia. The temple was located at the same level as the podium of the rebuilt central Capitolium Republican temple. This made the temple, in practical, traditional and functional terms, suitable for the gathering of citizens and authorities, and as a location for the making of decisions. Later on, this edifice would be reconstructed and turned into the communal palace. Therefore, in the 1st century AD, there were two temples on the forum: the Temple of Augustus and the so-called Temple of Diana, built respectively on the earthwork to the west and to the east of the Capitolium podium as tetrastyles with deep porches. The temples in all their aspects match Vitruvius’ proportions, conception and realisation. Since the Temple of Augustus is almost entirely preserved, more will be said about this temple following an analysis of the transformation of the Capitolium. Unlike the Temple of Augustus, only the north wall with gable is preserved of the so-called Temple of Diana. Partly visible are also the remains of the west wall and 7.0 m of the stylobate. This temple would be architecturally and conceptually transformed several times in later periods. For this reason, the Temple of Diana can be seen as “spolia” within “spolia” from the following points of view: 1) conceptually first of all, and then architecturally and decoratively ; 2) from the “memorial” point of view, the whole edifice can be viewed as “spolia” within a larger context.

Roman Forum Temples; Pula; Religious and Public Use

nije evidentirano