The Temples of Pompeii
And Herculaneum
Greek
 Roman
 Foreign

Greek Temples
The Greek’s had a massive influence on a large percentage
of the temples in Pompeii both architecturally and
religiously as many of the Roman gods and temples
where based off Greek ideas and beliefs. Its is also
believed that Herculaneum’s and Pompeii’s early religious
buildings are all dedicated to Greek gods.
Roman Temples
For Romans, like the Greeks, the performance of one’s religious duties
was an important part of being a citizen. When Rome conquered
Campania, it ruled politically and culturally. Many new temples and
cults were formed especially when Augustus was in power. They
were very highly favoured by Emperors and were placed in the
forum in Pompeii so everybody could see. Not only were these
temples the largest buildings in the city but also became a forceful
means of emphasising new political situations and their alliance with
Rome.
Foreign Temples
Pompeii and Herculaneum were in direct contact with the surrounding
regions and the wider world due to their geographical position and
access to the sea. Because of this, other cultures could easily been
see and experienced by the citizens of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as
well as the rest of the Roman population. Several foreign or mystery
cults, customs and traditions eventually were adopted by both
Campania and Rome and soon a few became quite popular within
society.
Herculaneum
• Herculaneum is located on the
coast west of Mt Vesuvius and
was too, covered by the
eruption. When it was first
excavated it was found that a
city nearby had built on top of
Herculaneum and has stopped
many excavations, limiting the
amount of information gathered.
Unfortunately no temples
(except for the Augustales) have
been uncovered.
• It is believed that the city was
founded by Hercules (hence
“HERCUL”) and had many Greek
temples and customs.
• The picture above
shows the ancient
city if Herculaneum
with the modern
day city built on top
in the background.
GREEK
The Doric Temple
•The Doric Temple had a
particularly prominent
location, overlooking the
Sarno River and was visible by
travellers via sea and the river.
• It has been suggested that
the Doric Temple is a temple
to Hercules, who was also the
founder of many settlements
in Campania before Roman
influence.
• The picture shows the
remaining columns of the
temple which have dated to
6th century BCE.
GREEK
The Temple Of Apollo
•These pictures demonstrate
the sheer size of the temple
and the area surrounding
associated with it.
• Located next to the forum,
the Temple of Apollo was
one of the most popular
temples when introduced in
6th Century BCE.
•Apollo was adopted as
Augustus’s patron when he
became highly interested in
the God.
GREEK
The Temple Of Bacchus/Dionysus
• This model representation of the
Temple of Dionysus or soon known
by the Romans as Bacchus, shows
the layout of the temple. It had two
couches located immediately in
front of it and had a small altar at
the front.
• The temple of Bacchus was
located outside the walls of
Pompeii and was the god of fertility
and wine. His cult was associated
with drunkenness and promiscuity.
GREEK
The Temple To The Capitoline
Triad.
• This temple dedicated to the
three gods Jupiter, Juno, and
Minerva stands on a 3 meter
high podium on the northern
end of the forum. This
massive temple held many
items like the town sacrificial
equipment and the town’s
public treasures, emphasising
its importance.
• The temple was damaged
during the earthquake in 62
AD and moved to a smaller
sanctuary near the theatre. It
was in working order when
eruption occurred.
• The picture above
shows what remains
of the temple and
emphasises how
important it was due
to its size and
location.
ROMAN
Temple Of Venus
• As seen in the source, it is clear
that Venus was highly praised within
Pompeii due to the size of the
temple.
• Many mosaics, painting and frescos
have been discovered all over
Pompeii and was expected to bring
well-being and success throughout
the community. It is also believed
that Venus was the patron Goddess
of Pompeii and was very popular
especially with the sailors who
sought her protection.
• As Venus was born in the sea ( as
depicted in the House of Venus), the
temple faces the sea.
ROMAN
The Shrine of the Augustales
• This Lar style painting depicts
the emperor Augustus which
demonstrates his extreme
importance. This is one of the
rare finds within Herculaneum.
• When he died he was declared a
god by the senate and leading
members of a community became
Augustales who used their own
funds to promote the imperial
cult.
ROMAN
The Temple Of The Augusti
(Temple of Vespasian)
• Well known for the Altar out
the front which illustrate a
sacrificial ritual , the Temple Of
Augusti was another place
where the imperial cult was
celebrated.
• As the picture proves, the
temple was raised on a podium
and was surrounded by a sacred
enclosure (temenos), providing
another source which illustrates
the importance of Augustus to
the citizens.
ROMAN
The Temple Of Isis
• From this statue of Isis, found in the
temple of Isis, the magnitude of Isis’s
influence is given by the fine craftsmen
ship of the statue. When the temple was
damaged in the earthquake in 62AD, it
was the first to be rebuilt.
• The Cult of Isis came to Campania after
the defeat of Darius the 3rd by Alexandra
the Great in Egypt and through the
expansion of Rome. As it arrived in
Pompeii and Herculaneum it became
extremely popular with the women and
the lower classes of slaves and freedmen.
As popularity grew, so did the number of
rich men and soon objects, paintings and
other forms of art became more and more
common.
Foreign
A Description of The Temple Of Isis
“ The Temple of Isis is more perfect. It is
surrounded by a portico of fluted columns,
and in the area around it are two altars…
and a little chapel of white stucco, as hard
as stone… but of a workmanship the most
delicate and perfect that can be conceived.
With a pavement of mosaic, and fluted
Ionic columns of white stucco… it dazzles
you to look at it.”
• This description by Shelly
gives us an idea of the
beauty associated with the
Temple of Isis. From this
description it is clear that it
was highly recognised in
society.
Letters of Percy Bysshe Shelly
Foreign
Sabazius
• Sabazius was known in Greece from the
5th Century BCE and is often known to be
equal to Zeus or Dionysus and was the
god of vegetation.
• The Bronze statue found in the store
room in a small shrine (sacellum) in a
garden. With it, they also found drawings
of a nude priest doing a ritual dance with
a tambourine.
• This statues provides us with the
evidence that other religions were
present but in this case, only in small
numbers. It also related to other religions
as other cultures have gods with similar
traits.
Foreign
Lakshmi
• Lakshmi is a Hindu god of
fertility, beauty, and wealth.
• The statue in the source
resents Aphrodite and may have
arrived in Italy by means of
commercial links to the east.
• It is still unclear if it is an
ornament or a shrine.
Foreign