Virtual Roman Temple

The Atmosphere world at right represents an imaginary Roman temple in a forum. Though the structure is idealized, its features are similar to those of actual temple/forum complexes of the type seen, for example, in the forum of Julius Caesar in Rome. The sculptures in the pediment are taken from a relief carving representing the exterior of the Temple of Mars Ultor in the forum of Augustus in Rome,¹ and the image inside is a cult statue of Mars, perhaps from the same temple.² Like most Roman temples, the altar for burnt offerings is located outside the front of the temple.

To enter the 3D environment, click inside the image at the right. Once inside, you can move around within the space using the arrow keys or the mouse. You can adjust your viewpoint by using the arrow keys or mouse while holding down the control key.

¹ For more on this relief, see Diana E. Kleiner, Roman Sculpture (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992), 141ff.
² For more on this sculpture, see Kleiner, 181, fig. 150.

Created by Glenn Gunhouse.

The required browser plug-in should load automatically, provided you are viewing this page using Internet Explorer on a computer running Windows XP. Please be patient. For more information on the software used to create and view this 3D environment, see the Adobe Atmosphere Home Page

You can also see a full-screen version.