Plate XXI - Temple of Fortune
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This restoration of the Temple of Fortune and the triumphal arch seemed necessary to give an idea of the original features of the place, now so disfigured as to be almost unintelligible to an uninformed spectator. The altars on which sacrifices were offered could never have been placed within those temples of the ancients which were not hypaethral ; and many proofs might be brought to show that even those of hypaethral temples were placed at some distance in front, likc the great altar before the eastern portico of the Parthenon at Athens. |
The triumphal arch supported an equestrian statue of
bronze, thought to be that of Tiberius, or Caligula, the
fragments of which were found below.
The fountains probably existed, because the remains of
water-pipes are still found in the masonry of the arch,
though it is not easy to ascertain the exact manner in which
they were employed, but it is to be remarked that the arch
fronting this at the entrante of the Forum had also its
fountain or reservoir of water.
The actual appearance of this spot having been first drawn
with the camera lucida, the objects have been restored upon
that drawing, in order to render intelligible its ancient
aspect to those who are in need of such assistance, without
the possibility of erring widely from the truth.
Above the arch is placed the inscription «Augusto
Caesari parenti patriae», which was on marble, and
which, Iorio says, was positively found near the
spot.