DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0063
TEMPLES AND ROUND CHURCHES.
39
and supposed to have been a temple of Bacchus.* On the Appian Way, near the
Porta Appia, (now called the Gate of St. Sebastian,) are the remains of a circular
building, f
The temples dedicated to Vesta were generally, if not always, circular. Plutarch
remarks that Xuraa erected a round temple to contain the sacred fire, which he in-
tended as a symbol of the whole universe. This temple of Vesta had an atrium,
and a grove, near the fountain of Juterna, and in the inmost part of it was kept the
sacred fire, which was attended by the Vestal Virgins. Near the Palace of Augustus
was also another similar building, called the Temple of Vesta Palatina. J Near the
celebrated cascade of the Anio, at Tivoli, is another circular temple, sacred to the
Goddess Vesta. It is sometimes called the temple of Sibylla Tiburtina, is of the
Corinthian order, and is much celebrated by travellers. § Upon the Celian Mount,
at Home, was a large circular temple, which, according to some writers, was built by
Claudius, and dedicated to Faunus. It consisted of a circular wall, which included
two colonnades, one within the other. It is now called St. Stephen the Round, and
measures about 190 feet in diameter. || The most popular of these circular temples
is the Pantheon at Rome, which is commonly supposed to have been erected by M.
Agrippa, in his third consulate, though Palladio is of opinion that the body, or cir-
cular part, was built in the time of the republic, and the portico only added by
Agrippa. It was repaired A. D. 607, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, by Pope
Boniface IV. and, in three years after, it was again dedicated to all the saints, by
Pope Gregory IV. ^[
We must recollect, that all ** the preceding temples were originally erected and
consecrated to Pagan worship ; though some of them, with several other similar
edifices, were afterwards converted into Christian churches. As this new doctrine
extended its benign influence, it was found necessary to provide its ministers and
disciples with appropriate places of devotion. These now assumed the names of
* Palladio, B. IV. ch. 21. According to this author, the temples of Bacchus and Venus were to be built
always on the outside of the city walls.
t Palladio, B. IV. ch. 22.
I Montfaucon, Vol. II. ch. 7- In this volume are several plans of circular temples.
§ See Chevalier Piranezi's Plans, &c. of this building, and Desgodetz's Antiquities of Rome. The latter is
translated by Marshall, and contains several plans, sections, &c. of ancient buildings.
II See Desgodetz's Antiquities. H Ibid.
* * The church of St. Agnes, according to some writers, was built for a temple of Bacchus ; but others contend
that it was erected by the Emperor Constantine.
39
and supposed to have been a temple of Bacchus.* On the Appian Way, near the
Porta Appia, (now called the Gate of St. Sebastian,) are the remains of a circular
building, f
The temples dedicated to Vesta were generally, if not always, circular. Plutarch
remarks that Xuraa erected a round temple to contain the sacred fire, which he in-
tended as a symbol of the whole universe. This temple of Vesta had an atrium,
and a grove, near the fountain of Juterna, and in the inmost part of it was kept the
sacred fire, which was attended by the Vestal Virgins. Near the Palace of Augustus
was also another similar building, called the Temple of Vesta Palatina. J Near the
celebrated cascade of the Anio, at Tivoli, is another circular temple, sacred to the
Goddess Vesta. It is sometimes called the temple of Sibylla Tiburtina, is of the
Corinthian order, and is much celebrated by travellers. § Upon the Celian Mount,
at Home, was a large circular temple, which, according to some writers, was built by
Claudius, and dedicated to Faunus. It consisted of a circular wall, which included
two colonnades, one within the other. It is now called St. Stephen the Round, and
measures about 190 feet in diameter. || The most popular of these circular temples
is the Pantheon at Rome, which is commonly supposed to have been erected by M.
Agrippa, in his third consulate, though Palladio is of opinion that the body, or cir-
cular part, was built in the time of the republic, and the portico only added by
Agrippa. It was repaired A. D. 607, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, by Pope
Boniface IV. and, in three years after, it was again dedicated to all the saints, by
Pope Gregory IV. ^[
We must recollect, that all ** the preceding temples were originally erected and
consecrated to Pagan worship ; though some of them, with several other similar
edifices, were afterwards converted into Christian churches. As this new doctrine
extended its benign influence, it was found necessary to provide its ministers and
disciples with appropriate places of devotion. These now assumed the names of
* Palladio, B. IV. ch. 21. According to this author, the temples of Bacchus and Venus were to be built
always on the outside of the city walls.
t Palladio, B. IV. ch. 22.
I Montfaucon, Vol. II. ch. 7- In this volume are several plans of circular temples.
§ See Chevalier Piranezi's Plans, &c. of this building, and Desgodetz's Antiquities of Rome. The latter is
translated by Marshall, and contains several plans, sections, &c. of ancient buildings.
II See Desgodetz's Antiquities. H Ibid.
* * The church of St. Agnes, according to some writers, was built for a temple of Bacchus ; but others contend
that it was erected by the Emperor Constantine.