Temple of Mars Ultor

The Temple of Mars Ultor was a special place of worship in Ancient Rome, built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 2 BCE. It was dedicated to the god Mars as an avenger and stood in the center of the Forum of Augustus. This temple was designed in a special style called peripteral, with eight columns around the front and sides but not the back.

As a young leader, Augustus had promised to build this temple if he won a battle against the men who had killed his adopted father, Julius Caesar. Though he made this promise in 42 BCE, he only started building the temple years later, after retrieving important Roman symbols lost in battle. The temple was finally completed in 2 BCE, a time when Augustus was celebrating his role as a leader and father of his country.

Inside the temple were huge statues, including one of Mars dressed as a soldier, a statue of the goddess Venus, and a statue of the deified Julius Caesar. The temple was not just for worship; it was also used by leaders to discuss important decisions about wars and to welcome visitors from other lands. Over time, as Rome changed its ways of worship, the temple was closed and later turned into a church. Today, only the ruins of this once-great temple remain.