PreviousTemplum Veneris et Romae
Temple of Venus and Roma
An enormous temple built and designed by Hadrian on the plateau at the top of the Velia. It faced the imperial fora in one direction and the Colosseum in the other. The two goddesses honored in the temple were Venus and Roma. The cellae (main chambers) of the dual temple stood back to back so that the part of the temple dedicated to Roma faced the Forum and the part sacred to Venus faced the amphitheater. Ancient writers have described the domes and semi domes which were characteristic of many of Hadrian's building projects. This temple was one of the sights of Rome admired by the emperor Constantine.
