Ancient Roman Temple

[Philip]

Can't tell you much about Roman temples I'm afraid, except to say that they could be found all over the ancient empire and were often the most important building in any community. Used not only for worship they hosted civic functions too.

This die-cut kit was designed by Jean-Louis Simonet (with help from Pierre Joannet) and has artwork by Bernard Deubelbeiss, Numa Florentin and Bernadette Roberjot. It was published by Tomis Sarle, Chamalieres, 1986, as part of their "Histoire en Mains" series. The quoted scale is 1cm = 2m. Now some kits by Tomis are hard to do but this one went together quite easily, thank goodness. The relevant parts are printed both sides which allows for a simpler assembly. I like that.

No indication is given as to the actual temple modeled and so I assume it is a generic example. That being said, it looks the spitting image of the Maison Carree in Nimes. What do you think? Here's the website; it's in French but burrowing around turns up lots of nice pictures: La Maison Carree - Nimes

[Michael Mash]

Nice.
Yes, I looked at some images of the "Maison Carree" in Nimes.
That must be it.

The only difference is the decorative statues. They are missing on the real building.
I assume the "barbarians" carried them away.

[rockpaperscissor]

That is a very attractive model and did a wonderful job assembling it. Excellent work.

[adolfocaetnonetto]

Lovely Model!

[Siwi]

Splitting in half so we can view the interior is a nice feature.

[Thumb Dog]

Hi All,

And hi, Philip. As always, a fine, straight build on your Roman temple. A handsome model of an aristocratic subject.

You mentioned you, “can’t tell (us) much about Roman temples” but with some research, you were able to easily identify your mystery temple as La Maison Carree in Nimes, so, you must have the knack.

Whenever I see an ancient Greek or Roman columned building, I count the columns to reaffirm that my history-teaching father was right when he said, “Each façade of the ancient orders will have an even number of columns. If the façade contained an odd number, where would you put the door?” So, I was surprised when I saw that your model displayed 13 columns along each of its long sides. I had to check this out.

Below I am including a screenshot of a page from the following site:

ROMAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE EXPLAINED SIMPLY

The title of the site is, A Touch of Rome, The Basics of Roman Temple Architecture and the attached image explains the different column placements between Greek and Roman temples. It appears that both Greek and Roman temples were built with odd numbers of columns on their long sides. But as there are no doors on these sides, they don’t break the, “you must place the door in the middle” rule. Also, I thought the columns that are part of the temple’s solid walls were pilasters, or simple ornamental components attached to the block wall. But they aren’t pilasters, they are true columns installed to support the temple’s roof. When the columns become part of a solid wall, they are said to be engaged with the wall.

So, for those of you who are Jonesin’ for more info on old, marble temples, the above site will set you straight. And thanks again, Philip, for setting me off on yet another tangent.

Score and fold,

Thumb Dog

[Philip]

Thank you all for your interest and encouragement, Roman temple fans.

Thumb Dog: Special thanks for that absorbing link, even if I spent far too much time there than I should have.

Now what shall get built next? Hmmmm..............

[Viator]

If you are not tired with ancient Roman architecture and if you like the idea of making houses with interior, maybe a Papercraft model of a Pompeii Villa? It's shape is based on a real building exterior, but all the internal frescos are to be selected from a few preserved in the Pompeii ruins, making this villa a generic building too. Available at PAPERMAU: Pompeii Villa Pop Up Paper Model - by Ellen McHenry

[Siwi]

I also enjoyed going through all of that linked site about Roman temples and forums.


When I was young one of the first card models I built, bought from a Roman site somewhere, possibly Fishbourne palace, was of a small villa with a courtyard. I would love to find it again or design my own improved version.

[Wyvern]

Lovely build.

Wyvern