The Temple of Vespasian and Titus

Situated between the Temples of Concordia and Saturn, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus is a notably narrow structure measuring 33 meters long and 22 meters wide. It was dedicated to the deified Vespasian and served as a monument to the Flavian Dynasty, which included the emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. This imperial cult worship functioned as much as a political and diplomatic gesture as it did a formal religion, ensuring that citizens would honor the deified emperors.

Titus began construction in 79 following the death of Vespasian, finishing the foundations of tuff concrete and the core of the podium in white marble. However, it was his brother Domitian who completed the interior work around 87. The interior is highly ornate, featuring cella walls of travertine lined with marbles imported at great expense from the eastern provinces. A small, two-story vaulted room made of brick and concrete, lined with marble, was also built against the wall of the Tabularium and dedicated to Titus.

Renovations were conducted around 200 to 205 by Emperors Septimius Severus and his son Antoninus Caracalla. They added a new inscription beneath the original architrave, though only the last word of their addition remains saved on the front frieze. Over the centuries, the temple suffered significant damage during medieval times. By the time of Pope Nicholas V's remodeling of the Forum, much of the building was demolished or reconstructed as a fortress. Today, only the podium's core, two fragments of the travertine wall, and three Corinthian columns at the south-east corner remain.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons