Temple of Bellona

The Temple of Bellona is an archaeological site near the Theater of Marcellus, with visible columns and a front staircase from ancient times. The remains display typical Roman construction and can be viewed directly alongside the theater.

The temple was built in 296 BC by Appius Claudius Caecus during the third Samnite War and placed strategically outside Rome's sacred boundary. Its location was deliberately chosen to keep military activities outside the city's inner sacred zone.

Senators gathered here to receive foreign ambassadors and generals returning from conquest, making it central to Rome's diplomatic and military affairs. Its position outside the sacred boundary reflects its purpose as a place for martial and diplomatic matters rather than purely religious ones.

The archaeological remains were uncovered during construction work in the 1930s and are located directly alongside the Theater of Marcellus for easy viewing. The site sits in an accessible part of the Forum Olitorium, making it easy to include in a walk through the ancient ruins.

A ceremonial column stood before the site where priests threw spears to officially declare war against distant enemies in ancient ritual. This practice shows how Romans merged religious acts with military declarations.