The Temple of Apollo was a significant religious site and a public space that showcased the influence of Roman colonists on Greco-Roman religion and culture. Situated in the forum, the town's main market square, the temple faced the northern side of Pompeii, making it one of the most prominent buildings in the area.
This temple, along with the Temple of Minerva and Hercules, was one of the earliest temples constructed in Pompeii. The worship of Apollo, which originated in Greece, had been present in Pompeii since the 6th century BC. The temple you see today was rebuilt in the 2nd century BC and underwent further reconstruction after the devastating earthquake in 62 AD. Unfortunately, the repairs were left unfinished when the infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred in 79 AD, burying the entire city under volcanic ash.
As you approach the temple, you'll notice that it stands in the center of a sacred enclosure. Surrounding the temple on all four sides are a series of tuff columns from Nocera. Originally, these columns had grooves and Ionic capitals, but they were replaced with stucco columns featuring Corinthian capitals painted in stunning shades of yellow, red, and dark blue.
The temple itself is a peripteros, which means it is surrounded by a colonnade of 48 Ionic columns. It sits on a raised platform and can be accessed by a grand set of steps, seamlessly blending Greek and Italic architectural styles. An intriguing feature of this temple is that its cella, the innermost chamber where the god's statue is kept, is positioned further back compared to the surrounding peristyle.
You may also notice a white marble altar on a travertine base near the steps. This altar bears a Latin inscription, listing the names of the quattuorviri, the four magistrates who dedicated it. Adjacent to the steps, there is an Ionic column that once supported a sun dial. An inscribed plaque, donated by a pair of magistrates, is also present, along with another plaque and seat at the Triangular Forum.
On the side of the temple facing the town's forum, there is a niche containing the mensa ponderaria, which was a table with the official measures of Pompeii. This was meant to protect citizens from dishonest shopkeepers and fraudulent merchandise.
During the excavation of the temple in 1817, fragments of a marble statue and two bronze arms were discovered. At first, it was mistakenly believed to be the Temple of Venus or the Temple of Mercury. These fragments were actually part of the temple's deities - one representing Apollo and the other being a bust of Diana. Both original pieces now reside in the J. Paul Getty Museum in Malibu, California, while replicas have been placed at their original locations.
The Temple of Apollo was adorned with an elegant Doric architrave, featuring metopes and triglyphs. Over time, this architrave was transformed into a continuous frieze adorned with griffins, festoons, and foliage. Unfortunately, much of the plaster transformation has not survived, but the remains of the temple's front continue to amaze visitors with their original beauty.
As we move on to our next stop, remember to take a moment to appreciate the rich history and intricate details of this awe-inspiring Temple of Apollo. It truly gives us a glimpse into the ancient world and the profound religious and cultural significance it held for the people of Pompeii.
