Title: Temple of Portunus (Temple of Fortuna Virilis)
Date: 6th century BC.
Architect: Unknown
Medium: travertine and tufa covered in stucco.
Dimensions: approximately 70x 40x 40 feet
Significance of the work:
This temple used to face incoming ships in the Port Tiberinus, but the flood of 1870 caused the city to regulate the river watershed. Dikes were built to contain the Tevere and the purpose of the temple was forgotten. It was not until the ancient port was rediscovered very close to the site that the misappropriated name, Temple of Fortuna Virilis, was changed to the Temple of Portunus. It is so well preserved because it was converted into a Christian church in the 9thcentury AD. Its architecture is influenced by both the Greeks and Etruscans. The porch and freestanding ionic columns point towards the Greek influence while the single front entrance, engaged columns in the back, and high podium (now partly buried) point to the Etruscans.
Portunus is a local Roman god known as the protector of seafarers and harbors, although originally god of doors and keys. His role got stretched through oral tradition and time so he is now known to oversee the comings and goings of travelers particularly on the sea.
Photo: http://images.google.com/imgres?
Sources: http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/romanvirilis/virilis.html
http://www.livius.org/ro-rz/rome/rome_t_portunus.html
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=5cc56ecb5bd106a6776f6694c0d012ce
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