Temple of Jupiter Feretrius, Roman temple on Capitoline Hill, Italy
The Temple of Jupiter Feretrius is a Roman sanctuary on Capitoline Hill that was extremely small in size, housing an altar and sacred objects inside. The structure had a simple design yet held great religious significance for early Roman society.
Romulus founded this temple around the 8th century BC following his victory over King Acro, making it the oldest known temple in Rome. Later, Emperor Augustus carried out renovations to repair damage to the roof and fabric of the building.
The temple served as a sacred place where Roman generals left armor and weapons taken directly from enemy commanders in battle. This practice made it a center of military honor and divine blessing for warriors.
The site is located on a hill in central Rome and can be reached on foot, though the terrain can be steep and uneven. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the archaeological remains and surroundings.
The sanctuary housed sacred objects such as flint and a ceremonial staff that Roman priests used in official rituals for declaring war and making treaties. These ritual objects were central to important political and military decisions of early Romans.
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