forum Augustum or Augusti

Extract

Forum Augustum or Augusti, dedicated in 2 bce, the vast precinct (110×83 m.: 120×90 yds.) of *Mars Ultor in Rome, vowed by Octavian at *Philippi. The octastyle marble Corinthian temple stood on a lofty podium at the north end; the interior of the cella, flanked by columns, terminated in an apse housing colossal statues of Mars, *Venus, and Divus Julius. Caesar's sword and many works of art were kept there. The temple was set against a high precinct wall of fire-resistant peperino, irregular in plan, which cut off the populous *Subura. Broad flights of steps flanking the temple led from the Subura into the forum through *triumphal arches, dedicated to Drusus (see claudius drusus, nero) and *Germanicus in 19 ce. The forum area was flanked by Corinthian porticoes enriched with coloured marble, and crowned by a tall attic decorated with *caryatides copied from the *Erechtheum at Athens; behind these were large semicircular exedrae.