07_07_09_Temple of Antonius and Faustina

ROMAN FORUM Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

Built by Emperor Antoninus Pius, mid-second century A.D., marble columns and platform of large peperino blocks, ancient Rome.
The temple is located within the Roman Forum. There is a long staircase in the front with no hand railings, followed by six towering long marble columns. As stated by Testa, “behind the ancient Roman columns stands the curving, rose-colored brick façade of a Baroque church” (Testa 8). There is a plaque on the left side to honor the temple of Antoninus and Faustina. Now one is unable to go inside but when it was originally built it was a temple and then a church after Antoninus Pius’ death. It is unknown who built this massive temple. Originally the temple was built in honor of his deified wife Faustina. After he died the temple was also dedicated to him. Antoninus Pius commissioned and paid for the temple to be built. The function changed after his death. The temple was converted to a church known as, San Lorenzo in Miranda. In the Middle Ages an attempt to destroy the church was made because it was believed to still be of Pagan origin. Also, during that period stairs were built on the forum side, which are unable to be used today due to a six foot gap in between the temple and staircase. Furthermore, in the 1600s the front of the temple was rebuilt. I chose this specific work because when I saw this enormous temple I was taken back. I have never seen something so large or amazing. The marble columns were so large and I could not even begin to imagine the workmanship that went into constructing this temple. To show the magnitude of this building I had to take a picture with people standing in front of it to capture just how huge this temple actually is. Now after reading that it is/was a church inside I would love to go back and be able to experience the inside and see the church although it is not possible. A Roman in the time that it was made would respond to it as a holy building. It was built to honor Faustina who was deified so this building would be a very spiritual and sacred building. Also, after it became a church it would be seen as a place of worship.
Maggie Driscoll, Survey of Art and Architecture in Italy, St. John’s University