 Temple of Portunus in theForum Boarium | |
   Temple of Portunus Shown within Augustan Rome | |
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| Coordinates | 41°53′21″N12°28′51″E / 41.88917°N 12.48083°E /41.88917; 12.48083 |
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TheTemple of Portunus (Italian:Tempio di Portuno) is anancient Romantemple inRome,Italy. It was built beside theForum Boarium, the Roman cattle market associated withHercules, which was adjacent to Rome's oldest river port (Portus Tiberinus) and the oldest stonebridge across theTiber River, thePons Aemilius. It was probably dedicated to the gatewaygodPortunus although the precise dedication remains unclear as there were several other temples in the area besides his. It was misidentified as theTemple of Fortuna Virilis (Latin for "Manly Luck") from theRenaissance and remains better known by this name. The temple is one of the best preserved of all Roman temples.
It is dedicated to Portunus, the god of keys, doors and livestock, and so granaries, it is the maintemple dedicated to the god in the city.[1] During the Medieval period, the temple was converted to a Christian church dedicated to Santa Maria Egyziaca ("St Mary of Egypt"). It remained a church up until the early 20th century, when it was deconsecrated, stripped of all later additions, and returned to its classical appearance, as an archaeological monument. This restoration included the demolition of surrounding medieval and Renaissance era buildings.
It is in theIonic order and is by the ancientForum Boarium by theTiber. DuringAntiquity the site overlooked the Tiberine port at a sharp bend in the river; from here, Portunus watched over cattle barges as they entered the city fromOstia.[2]
The temple was originally built in the 3rd or 4th century BC and was rebuilt between 120 and 80 BC.[3] The rectangular building consists of atetrastyleportico andcella, raised on a highpodium reached by a flight of steps, which it retains.[4] Like theMaison Carrée inNîmes, it has apronaosportico of fourIonic columns across and two columns deep. The columns of the portico are free-standing, while the remaining five columns on the long sides and the four columns at the rear are half-columnsengaged along the walls of the cella. This form is sometimes calledpseudoperipteral, as distinct from a trueperipteral temple like theParthenon entirely surrounded by free-standing columns. The Ionic capitals are of the original form, different in the frontal and side views, except in the volutes at the corners, which project at 45°, a common Roman detail. It is built oftuff andtravertine with astucco surface.
If still in use by the 4th-century, the temple would have been closed during thepersecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire. The temple owes its state of preservation to its being converted for use as a church in 872 and rededicated toSanta Maria Egiziaca (SaintMary of Egypt).[5] ItsIonic order has been much admired, drawn and engraved and copied since the 16th century.[6] The original coating ofstucco over its tufa and travertine construction has been lost.
The circularTemple of Hercules Victor is south-east of the temple in the Forum Boarium.
The 18th centuryTemple of Harmony in Somerset, England is afolly based on the Temple of Portunus.
| External videos | |
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 Smarthistory - Temple of Portunus, Rome, c. 120-80 B.C.E. |
| Preceded by Temple of Minerva Medica | Landmarks of Rome Temple of Portunus | Succeeded by Temple of Saturn |
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