What was the Temple of Saturn used for?

While dedicated to the god Saturn, the temple’s chief use was as the seat of the treasury of the Roman Empire, storing the Empire’s reserves of gold and silver. Also the state archives, the standards and the official scale for the weighing of metals were housed in the temple for a time.

How old is the Temple of Saturn?

One of the oldest of the Roman Forum structures, the Temple of Saturn was originally built sometime between 501 BC and 497 BC and reconstructed in the fourth century BC. However, this second incarnation burned down and the Temple of Saturn was restored in 42 BC by Roman senator Lucius Munatius Plancus.

What remains of the Temple of Saturn?

His temple housed the treasury, the aerarium, where the Roman Republic’s reserves of gold and silver were stored. The state archives and the insignia and official scale for the weighing of metals were also housed there.

Why was Temple of Saturn very important to Rome and the Romans?

Because of the link of Saturn with agriculture, the original source of Rome’s wealth, the temple was the repository for the State treasury, the Aerarium Populi Roman (from aes, bronze), which was located beneath the stairs under the high podium. It also contained the bronze tablets on which Roman law was inscribed.

What is Saturn the god of?

Saturn, Latin Saturnus, in Roman religion, the god of sowing or seed. The Romans equated him with the Greek agricultural deity Cronus. Exiled from Olympus by Zeus, he ruled Latium in a happy and innocent golden age, where he taught his people agriculture and other peaceful arts. In myth he was the father of Picus.

Who destroyed the temple of Saturn?

This temple was in turn destroyed by the fire of 283 CE, which destroyed major parts of the Forum Romanum. The temple was reconstructed under Diocletian after the fire, but the ground plan and podium from 42 BCE was retained. The temple was of the Ionic order with six columns on the facade.

What is the temperature of Saturn?

Saturn is considerably colder than Jupiter being further from the Sun, with an average temperature of about -285 degrees F.

Is Saturn a God?

Saturn, Latin Saturnus, in Roman religion, the god of sowing or seed. In Roman myth Saturn was identified with the Greek Cronus. Exiled from Olympus by Zeus, he ruled Latium in a happy and innocent golden age, where he taught his people agriculture and other peaceful arts. In myth he was the father of Picus.

Is the temple of Saturn still standing?

The 4th century CE Temple of Saturn is situated in the north west corner of the Roman Forum of Rome and has eight majestic columns still standing.