Temple in Ancient Rome: how it worked

History What it was

Romans worshipped many gods and goddesses, and a temple was thought of as the home of a particular god. Inside, a room called the cella held the god's statue and valuable gifts. Ordinary people did not gather inside for services as in many modern places of worship.

The Maison Carrée in Nîmes, France, one of the best-preserved Roman temples. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History How it worked

Roman temples usually stood on a tall platform called a podium, reached by a flight of steps at the front only. This made the temple face one direction, looking out over a square or forum. A deep porch of columns led to the doors of the cella.

Religious ceremonies, including prayers and animal sacrifices, took place at an altar outside, in front of the steps, where crowds could watch. Priests and officials led the rituals on festival days.

The Temple of Portunus beside the river Tiber in Rome. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History Places you can still see

The Maison Carrée in Nîmes, France, built around the turn of the 1st century AD, is one of the best-preserved Roman temples anywhere and still has its roof. In Rome, the Temple of Portunus beside the river Tiber shows the same plan on a small scale. The most important temple in Rome stood on the Capitoline Hill, dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, Lebanon, built when the city was part of the Roman Empire. Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Art In this artwork

The golden statue on the roof and the colors are the artist's interpretation, though Roman temples were often brightly painted and decorated with statues.