The Temple of Minerva and Le Colonacce

The remains of the forum, with Le Colonacce with the frieze in the background.

Artist's reconstruction of the Temple.

The remains of the Colonnace.

Reconstructions show that the Temple stood on a tall podium, with six columns in the facade, and encroached upon the square of the Forum with its pronaos. Currently, all that remains are its foundations, the right side of the podium of the pronaos, and the vault in the opus caementicum that supported the cella. The temple would have dominated the narrow piazza and the small shrine of Janus opposite, and on feast days of Minerva, processions of worshippers with offers would have congregated here to worship.

The frieze of Le Colonacce (the colonnade) next to the Temple depicts Minerva Ergane (Minerva of Tasks), an aspect of the deity involved with women’s work and domestic tasks such as spinning and weaving. These tasks reflected Domitian’s program of moral and religious revival. In particular, the center of the remaining portion of the Colonacce depicts the myth of Arachne, in which the goddess Minerva punished the mortal Arachne for daring to disrespect her skill at weaving. The choice in myth reflects Domitian's focus on piety and morality.

BR