Doric Temple
The doric temple, which occupies the southern part of the Triangular Forum, was built in the sixth century BC, when Pompeii was under the influence of the powerful Greek state of Cumae. It was consecrated to Hercules, mythical founder of the city and later included the cult of Minerva.
The temple of Apollo lies at a slight angle to the axis of the Forum, probably due to the fact that it followed the course of a street on its eastern side before the colonnade of Popidus was built. The difference in direction is concealed by the increasing thickness from south to north of the pillars between the forum and the temple court. The spaces between the pillars were originally left open, but were later walled up with the exception of the three opposite the side of the podium. These have since also been closed
Temple of Asclepius
The temple of asclepius,also known as the temple of jupiter, dating from around the 2nd century BC, was identified as being a place of worship of Jupiter Meilichius with the discovery of an Oscan inscription found at the Stabia Gate.
The divinity of the temple of fortuna augusta and the name of its builder and both known from an inscription on the architrave of the shrine at the rear of the cella which translates as:
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'Marcus Tullius the son of Marcus, duumvir with judiciary authority for the third time, quinquennial duumvir, augur and military tribune by the choice of the people, erected this temple to Fortuna Augusta on his own ground and at his own expense.'
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'Marcus Tullius the son of Marcus, duumvir with judiciary authority for the third time, quinquennial duumvir, augur and military tribune by the choice of the people, erected this temple to Fortuna Augusta on his own ground and at his own expense.'
The temple of isis dates from the 2nd century BC and was dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis, whose cult was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. It was decorated with many pieces of art which can now be found at the National Archaeological Museum.
Temple of Lares Publici
The temple of the lares publici has been designated as the sanctuary for the public lares but it may have been dedicated to the deified Augustus.The date of its construction has been, and remains, open to debate. Initially August Mau (1879) dated the building to a time after the earthquake of AD62
The temple of venus was made to worship goddess Venus Pompeiana who was the patron goddess of Lucius Cornelius Sulla as well as of the city of Pompeii. Prior to the founding of the Roman colony the site had been occupied by houses but these were cleared away in the early years of the colony to make way for the temple complex. In less than 250 years the temple was twice built and twice destroyed; a third building was in the course of construction at the time of the eruption.
Temple of Vespasian
The Temple of Vespasian is also referred to as the Sanctuary of the Genius of Augustus. The attribution of the temple is still open to debate, but most archaeologists now think it is more likely to be a temple dedicated to Augustus rather than Vespasian.