Rome | Roman Forum

🟣 Temple of Saturn One of the oldest surviving structures in Rome, second only to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill (which today only has its foundation preserved at the Capitoline Museums / Musei Capitolini). According to Latin historical records, the original Temple of Saturn was built in 497 BC during the late Roman Kingdom, under the reign of the last king, Tarquinius Superbus. However, whether this original temple was located in the same spot is still debated. The base of the temple you see today was rebuilt in 42 BC by Consul Lucius Manutius Plancus, and the upper structure was reconstructed after a fire in 360 AD. The Temple of Saturn is one of the best-preserved monumental structures in the Roman Forum. Although much of the original architecture is gone, its iconic façade remains remarkably intact. There are eight Ionic columns made of granite from ancient Egyptian structures, with acanthus leaf designs decorating the frieze. During the Roman Republic, the temple’s base was used as the state treasury, and even after the construction of the archives, the treasury moved, but this site continued to serve as the offices of the treasury. #RomanForum #AncientRome #RomanRuins #Rome #RomanEmpire #RomanRepublic #Italy