Temple of Vesta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple of Vesta |
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Reconstructed remains of the Temple of Vesta
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| Location | Regione VIII Forum Romanum |
| Built in | unknown old Kingdom era |
| Built by/for | Unknown builder |
| Type of structure | Roman Old kingdom |
| Related | List of ancient monuments in Rome |
 Temple of Vesta
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The Temple of Vesta (Latin: Aedes Vestae) is a very old building in Rome, Italy. You can find it in the famous Roman Forum. It's close to the Regia and the House of the Vestal Virgins.
One special thing about this temple is its round shape. This design reminds us that people first worshipped Vesta in their own homes. The temple we see today was built using Greek architectural styles. It had Corinthian columns made of marble. Inside, there was a central room called a cella.
What is the Temple of Vesta?
The Temple of Vesta was a very important place in ancient Rome. It was dedicated to Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth, home, and family. Vesta was one of the oldest Roman gods. Her temple was a sacred spot where a special eternal flame burned. This flame was a symbol of Rome's safety and power.
The Eternal Flame
The most important part of the Temple of Vesta was its sacred flame. This fire was never allowed to go out. It was believed that if the flame died, bad things would happen to Rome. Young women called Vestal Virgins were in charge of keeping the fire burning. They were priestesses who dedicated their lives to Vesta.
Design and Architecture
The Temple of Vesta stands out because it is circular. Most Roman temples were rectangular. This round shape is thought to be a nod to early Roman homes. These homes often had a central hearth, or fireplace, where the family fire burned.
The temple was built on a round base called a podium. This podium was about fifteen meters wide. Around the temple, there were twenty tall Corinthian columns. These columns were fancy, with detailed tops. The roof of the temple likely had an opening at the very top. This opening would have let smoke from the eternal flame escape.
See also
In Spanish: Templo de Vesta para niños
