A late arch of late 3rd/early 4th century date, the arch of Janus Quadrifons may be attributed to Constantine, though not beyond doubt. This was not a triumphal arch and may have served as a gateway between the regions of the Velabrum and the Forum Boarium. Upon a time it would have been highly decorative, as the extant niches for 48 statues suggest. It also had carvings of Gods on the four keystones (of which two remain visible.) There was a structure on top until the 19th century when it was removed under the belief that it was a medieval addition. It now seems more likely that the superstructure was part of the original arch. It has been suggested that this structure was topped by a low pyramid.
Access: Viewable freely at all times on the Via del Velabro.
Perhaps a somewhat ornamental entrance to the Forum Boarium, this small gateway was constructed in 204 AD by the guild of silver workers in honour of Septimius Severus and his family. It is not, in truth, an arch, having a flat lintel resting on squat, square columns, but it is a beautiful piece of sculpture and architecture and is well worth a side trip when visiting the Forum Boarium area. The decoration of the arch is magnificent.
Access: Freely viewable at all times on the Via del Velabro.
Remembered these days mainly form a famous scene in 'Roman Holiday', the Bocca della Verita (or Mouth of Truth) stands in the porch of the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Legend tells that anyone who puts their hand in the mouth and lies will have the hand bitten off. Although I'm not particularly superstitious, I have to admit that in the face of the thing, I found myself trying not to lie. What the Bocca actually is remains a mystery. It is clearly of ancient Roman origin. The most common theory is that it is a decorative drain cover and there is some evidence to support this. Other theories include a fountain front, well cover and temple decoration. None of these can be proved, but the face certainly seems to be a bearded deity, perhaps Father Tiber, Oceanus or Faunus. Though it is a small item in the scheme of things, it is a shame to visit Rome and miss the Bocca.
Access: Piazza della Bocca della Verita. The porch of the church is locked at night and visits are hurried along due to the confined space and the number of people who want their photo taken with their hand in the mouth. A sign has now been put up that commands only one photo per visitor!
This structure was built around 27/26 BC by Augustus and dedicated to his sister Octavia. Within the colonnaded area could be found a library dedicated to Marcellus. The complex was large and ornate, though now only the southwest entrance survives. Originally the portico entrance would have been completely fronted by columns, but after the earthquake of 442 AD, the entrance was repaired hastily with a brick arch. The portico ruins form part of a small archaeological park along with several temples and the theatre of Marcellus.
Access: Viewable at all times. Access to the monument only during daylight hours from either Via del Portico d'Ottavia or past the theatre from Via del Teatro Marcello
This area, excavated within the grounds of a church is visible from the road. There are no signs to explain it to the passer by and most research will only turn up the phrase 'sacred area of San Omobono'. This is an area of temples dating originally from the early Republican era and dedicated rto the Mater Matuta, a Goddess of navigation and mother of Portunus who also has a small temple the in area. The complex was destroyed and rebuilt several times in the Republican period from its foundation during the time of the Etruscan Kings and again under Hadrian. Though the site is difficult to make sense of, it is worth a look while visiting the more spectacular remains in the Forum Boarium and the Velabrum.
Access: Freely visible at all times from Via Luigi Petroselli
Here are the remains of several temples in, around and under the church of San Nicola in Carcere. The most visible (see photo) is that believed to the early temple of Janus of republican date, which is built into the wall of the church. The others were dedicated to Spes and Juno Sospita. There are ruins beneath the church that I visted for the first time in 2009 and are worth the trip if you find them open. The fragmentary remains of the temples can be viewed from the road.
Access: All freely visible from Via del Teatro Marcello.
Beside the theatre of Marcellus stand the remains of at least two temples (the area of the Forum Boarium, the Velabro and the southern Campus Martius is absolutely littered with temples). This area began as a sacred grove of Apollo, with a temple to the God constructed there in the early republic (431 BC). The currently visible columns belong to a rebuild under Augustus, who also constructed the city's second temple to the God on the Palatine. Restorations occurred in the 4th and 5th centuries, though there are no records of any work in the early or mid Principate. In the photo, the podium on the right belongs to the adjoining temple of Bellona, and there was a temple of Diana in the vicinity also.
Access: Viewable from the Via del Teatro Marcello at all times. Access to monument during daylight hours.
Formerly erroniously identified as a temple of Vesta, this small round temple was dedicated to Hercules Victor. It was constructed around 120 BC and may have been damaged by fire and restored by Nero. The bulk of the temple is original, though the roof is a later addition. The temple is one of the most beautiful in Rome, and one of the most intact. Identifying the true details of this temple is problematic due to the number of temples noted in the area, including several to Hercules. A very similar round temple is noted to have been demolished by Pope Sixtus V in this area. This temple probably owes its survival to conversion as a church early on.
Access: Visible at all times in the Piazza della Bocca della Verita.
Previously erroniously name the temple of Fortuna Virilis, this small temple was in fact dedicated to the river God Portunus, where it overlooks the Tiber and the landing for barges coming from Ostia. Originally constructed in around 100 BC, the temple was restored under Augustus. Like so many ancient monuments in Rome, this temple owes its survival to its coversion into a church in the port-classical period. It is a beautiful example of a late-republican rectangular temple.
Access: Freely visible at all times in the Piazza della Bocca della Verita.
The land on which this theatre is built was cleared by Julius Caesar, whose original intention was to build a theatre here. It came to Augustus after his great uncle's death, however, to begin the construction. Work was completed in 13 BC, but the theatre had already held performances four years earlier while only partially complete. Dedicated to the young Marcellus, the theatre became one of the best known monuments of the city, overshadowing several other theatres in the locale. It was restored by both Vespasian and Alexander Severus and after the fall of the Western empire, fell into disuse. It was later turned into a small fortress and then a sumptuous Palazzo, now converted into apartments above the ruins. At its height the theatre could have seated almost 15,000 spectators. The theatre of Marcellus is one of the most beautiful and memorable sights of Rome and should not be missed. One of the best first impressions you can have is to set off from the Campidoglio on the Capitol and head west through the gardens downhill. The view of the theatre from the hill is lovely.
Access: Visible at all times from the Via del Teatro Marcello. Ruins visitable during daylight hours.
It has taken three visits to Rome and some serious research to identify these enigmatic remains beside the main road. They are noted as a triumphal portico that stretched across this area, passing the temples of Apollo and Bellona and running below the Capitoline. It may be the Portico Minucia that appears in classical texts though that is uncertain. Apart from these large arches next to a junction, other fragments are visible along the road in the direction of the Theatre of Marcellus.
Access: Viewable at all times on the Via del Teatro Marcello.
