Let’s Know the Mystery behind the Temple of Castor and Pollux
Roman Temples | April 30, 2010Located in the monumental complex named Roman Forum in central Italy, the Temple of Castor and Pollux is an ancient shrine dedicated to the twin sons (Dioscuri) of Leda and Zeus (Jupiter) – the mortal Castor and the immortal Pollux. The temple honored both the great beings who were responsible for the victory at the battle of Lake Regillus in 495 B.C.
History/Legend
After the sect of Castor and Pollux arrived in Italy through the Greek culture of the south, the twins were honored for their victory in the Battle of Lake Regillus. As per the legend, the two young ones magically emerged on white horses on July 15 at the battle against Latins to help the Romans. After the victory, they were seen at the spring of Juturna next to the current Roman Forum watering their horses after which they declared the victory of the Romans.
After the victory in the battle that was considered a vital one over the Latins, the Roman general Aulus Postumius promised to dedicate a temple to the twins, which was met in some 10 years. The first Temple of Castor and Pollux was built in 484 B.C. supposedly at the sight where the two were last seen at the spring. After this, the temple witnessed much rejuvenations marking the Roman defeat of the Macedonians and victories in Dalmatia.
After a fire of 14 BC, Augustus took a firm decision of rebuilding the Temple of Castor and Pollux. The festive day from 15 July now became January 27, as the twin sons were now linked with the royal princes Gaius and Lucius Caesar. Their death delegated the completion task of the new temple to Tiberius and his late brother Drusus in 6 AD.
Architecture
The Temple of Castor and Pollux is now near the Arch of Septimius Severus in the historical Roman Forum. What you can see today is the Corinthian-style temple belonging to the Julio-Claudian period. Only three columns have been left today, even they are not the original ones, but the newly erected ones after their collapse in an earthquake.
The octostyle temple made of white Italian marble once had eight Corinthian columns and eleven on the short and long sides respectively. A cella of mosaics was adorning the temple in olden days, now all of which have gone. Today, you can only see the podium that is 7 m high. Two side stairs were found through which one can reach the podium, which actually defies the belief of a central staircase to the podium. Originally, the facade of the podium was made in such a manner that it forms a stage for the speaker, but it was then altered to make up a single staircase in the 3rd century.
If you go inside, you will come across the remains of 25 small chambers that was supposed to be used at the time of the temple functions. However, I felt that one of them might have been taken over by a dentist.
Festivals
When Romans used to rule, 15th July was the day to remember the two gods. On this day, a parade was held to mark the victory at Lake Regillus. To resemble the two gods – Castor and Pollux, two young men on white horses led the parade along with 5,000 knights in purple attire holding spears and shields.
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The temple of Castor and Pollux is an ancient edifice in the Roman Forum, Rome, central Italy.
It was originally built in gratitude for victory at the battle of Lake Regillus (495 BC). Castor and Pollux were the Dioscuri, the “twins” of Gemini, the twin sons of Zeus (Jupiter) and Leda.
Their cult came to Rome from Greece via Magna Graecia and the Greek culture of Southern Italy.