Templum Iovis Optimi Maximi
By Gaia Aurelia
The Temple of Jupiter, Best and
Greatest
This temple was dedicated to a triad of gods:
Jupiter, King of the gods, Juno, his wife, and
Minerva, his daughter and the goddess of
wisdom. Being dedicated to Jupiter, this
temple was the most important in Rome.
Foundation
• Tarquinius Priscus
– 534-510 BCE
– Prayed to the gods during a battle with the
Sabines
– Did not see it finished
• Tarquinius Superbus continued the work
• Temple finished in the 3rd consulship
The Building Itself
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•
•
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Capitoline Hill
Perimeter 800 feet
Each side roughly 200 feet
3 chambers, main one dedicated to Jupiter
Drawing of the Temple when is was still standing.
Condition
• Burned 83 BC, 69 BC, 80 AD
• Parts are in the Palazzo dei Conservatori today
Today
Sources
• First picture: http://erosok.wordpress.com/copyright-and-images-forteaching-classics/
• Second picture:
https://resources.oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/leach/www/2003
/jJ.O.M.podium.jpg
Info:
http://archive1.village.virginia.edu/spw4s/RomanForum/GoogleEarth/AK_
GE/AK_HTML/TS-037.html