Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus facts for kids
Speculative model of the first Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, 509 BC
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 Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus
Location in Rome
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| Coordinates | 41°53′32″N 12°28′54″E / 41.89222°N 12.48167°E |
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The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, also known as the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, was the most important temple in Ancient Rome. It was located on the Capitoline Hill. This area was called the Area Capitolina. It had many smaller shrines, altars, statues, and trophies from battles.
The first temple was likely dedicated in 509 BC. It was the oldest large temple in Rome. Like many temples in central Italy, it looked similar to Etruscan architecture. Etruscan experts helped build it, especially with the terracotta decorations. This first temple was made of wood. Sadly, it was destroyed by a fire in 83 BC.
The temple was rebuilt using craftsmen from Greece. The new building probably looked more like a Greek temple. This second temple was finished in 69 BC. Over the years, more fires happened, so the temple was rebuilt two more times. Each time, it followed the Roman building style of that period.
The first temple was the largest Etruscan-style temple ever recorded. It was much bigger than other Roman temples for centuries. Its exact size is still debated by experts. Some believe it was almost 60 m × 60 m (200 ft × 200 ft). This is nearly as big as the largest Greek temples. This temple greatly influenced other early Roman temples.
The third temple only lasted five years, until 80 AD, because of another fire. But the fourth temple survived until the Roman Empire ended. Parts of the last temple were taken apart for building materials in later centuries. Today, only parts of its foundations and base remain. Since later temples reused these foundations, some parts might still be from the very first building.
Contents
History of the Temple
The First Temple
Most of what we know about the first Temple of Jupiter comes from old Roman stories. Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, a Roman king, promised to build this temple. He made this promise during a battle with the Sabines. He started preparing the ground for the temple's foundations. Much of the stone used for the foundation was dug right from the site. Modern studies confirm how much work was needed to create a flat area for building.
According to historians, the foundations and most of the temple's main structure were finished by Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. He was the last King of Rome.
Before the temple was built, other gods had shrines on the site. Priests performed rituals to ask these gods for permission to move their shrines. Only Terminus, the god of boundaries, and Juventas, the goddess of youth, refused to move. So, their shrines were included in the new temple. Terminus's refusal was seen as a good sign for Rome's future. It meant Rome's borders would stay strong.
Another good sign happened when workers were digging the foundations. They found a human head. Priests said this meant Rome would become the head of a great empire.
The temple was dedicated on September 13, 509 BC. This was the year the Roman Republic began, replacing the Roman kingdom. The new leaders, two consuls, were in charge of the dedication. They drew lots, and Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was chosen.
The first temple may have been nearly 60 m × 60 m (200 ft × 200 ft). It was seen as the most important religious building in all of Rome. It had three separate rooms, called cellae, for three gods. Juno Regina was on the left, Minerva on the right, and Jupiter in the middle.
The first temple was decorated with many terracotta sculptures. The most famous was a statue of Jupiter riding a quadriga (a chariot pulled by four horses). This statue was on top of the roof. The main statue of Jupiter inside the temple was also made by an Etruscan artist named Vulca of Veii.
In 2014, archaeologists found original decorations from the temple. These findings helped them understand what the temple really looked like. The wooden parts of the roof were covered with decorated terracotta plaques. This style became a model for many other temples in Italy.
Over time, the temple was repaired and improved. For example, columns were re-plastered in 179 BC. Mosaic floors were added after the Third Punic War. The ceiling inside was gilded (covered in gold) in 142 BC. Many statues and trophies were added by victorious generals.
The first temple burned down in 83 BC during civil wars. The important Sibylline Books were also lost in this fire. These books contained prophecies and were consulted only in emergencies.
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Speculative plan of the first temple
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Another of the many guesses at a plan
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Back wall in 2005
The Second Temple
In 86 BC, Lucius Cornelius Sulla looted the city of Athens. He took huge, unfinished columns from the Temple of Zeus. He brought them to Rome to use in the Temple of Jupiter. The new temple was dedicated in 69 BC. It was built on the same foundations but with more expensive materials.
Around 65 CE, three new statues of the gods were finished. The statue of Jupiter was made of gold and ivory. It showed Jupiter sitting with a thunderbolt and scepter.
After murdering Julius Caesar, Brutus and the other assassins hid inside this temple. The second temple burned down on December 19, 69 CE. This happened during a battle on the hill when an army loyal to Vespasian entered the city.
The Third Temple
The new emperor, Vespasian, quickly rebuilt the temple. It was built on the same foundations but was even grander. It was taller than the previous ones. It had Corinthian order columns and many statues. These included a quadriga (four-horse chariot) on the roof. The third Temple of Jupiter was dedicated in 75 CE. This temple also burned down during the reign of Titus in 80 CE.
The Fourth Temple
Domitian immediately started rebuilding the temple again. It was on the same foundations but was the most lavish yet. According to one historian, Domitian used a huge amount of gold just to gild the bronze roof tiles. Beautiful sculptures decorated the front triangular part of the roof, called the pediment.
It was finished in 82 CE. In the center of the pediment, Jupiter sat between Juno and Minerva. Below them was an eagle. Chariots pulled by the sun god and the moon goddess were on either side of the three main gods.
Decline and Abandonment
The temple finished by Domitian lasted for over 300 years. All pagan temples were closed by Emperor Theodosius I in 392 AD. In the 4th century, a historian called the temple "the Capitolium, with which revered Rome elevates herself to eternity, the whole world beholds nothing more magnificent."
In the 5th century, parts of the temple were damaged. The Vandals looted the temple in 455 AD. They took half of the gilded bronze tiles from the roof. Even so, in the early 6th century, the temple was still described as one of the wonders of the world. In 571, many statues and ornaments were removed.
The ruins were still well-preserved in 1447. But the remaining ruins were destroyed in the 16th century. This happened when a palace, the Palazzo Caffarelli, was built on the site.
What Remains Today
Today, you can see parts of the temple's base and foundations. They are located behind the Palazzo dei Conservatori. You can also find them in an exhibition area in the Caffarelli Garden and inside the Musei Capitolini. A small part of the eastern corner is also visible on a street called via del Tempio di Giove.
A famous statue, the second Medici lion, was carved in the late 1500s. It was made from a capital (the top part of a column) from the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.
The Area Capitolina
The Area Capitolina was the sacred area around the Temple of Jupiter. It was on the southern part of the Capitoline Hill. It had walls that followed the shape of the hillside. This area was made larger in 388 BC.
The main entrance was on the southeast side. Another entrance, the Porta Pandana, was also used. These gates were closed at night. The famous sacred geese of Juno were kept here. They are said to have warned Rome during a siege by the Gauls. Dogs also guarded the area during the Roman Empire.
Underground rooms called favissae held damaged building materials and old offerings. It was against religious rules to disturb these items. The Area had many shrines, altars, statues, and victory trophies. Some public meetings were held there. Later, it became a market for luxury goods.
See also
- List of Ancient Roman temples
