Overview
The Temple of Jupiter occupies the most dominant position in the forum. It was dedicated to Jupiter, the king of the gods, together with Juno and Minerva. The temple stands on a high raised platform which has a large head of Jupiter on it. The pronaos or porch in front of the cella had six Corinthian columns along the front and three down each side. In front of the temple is the altar.
The temple was badly damaged in 62 A.D. and was still being restored when Pompeii was destroyed in 79 A.D. A relief sculpture from the house of Lucius Caecilius Iucundus shows the Temple of Jupiter and its statues leaning heavily to the left in the earthquake of 62 A.D.
See also: Official religion.
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