Ostia Antica - Temple of Hercules

by Debra Martz

Title

Ostia Antica - Temple of Hercules

Artist

Debra Martz

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Temple of Hercules was the dominating building in the Sacred Area of the Republican Temples and dates from about 225 to 150 BCE. Heracles (or Hercules) was, perhaps, worshipped here as the god of War by the military commanders stationed here. The statue to be found on the platform is of C. Cartilius Poplicola, a member of the prominent Ostian family and whose father may, in fact, have been responsible for the temple's construction.

Ostia was founded around the 4th century BC by King Anco Marzio and became the harbour of Rome, situated at the mouth of the Tiber. Throughout the following centuries, a flourishing trade and business center developed. Following the Barbarian invasions, the decline of Ostia began when the port was abandoned and became covered by silt over time
.

The archaelogical excavations undertaken at the beginning of the XIX century have brought the ancient city back to light, a rare witness to 900 years of Roman civilization.

Ostia Antica - Temple of Hercules by Debra Martz

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July 30th, 2016

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