ROME, CIRCA 1800

This sacred way was the earliest street to run through the Forum, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, past some of the most important religious sites in Rome, to the Colosseum. In the foreground is the Temple of Vespasian and Titus with the Arch of Septimus on the left and the Temple of Saturn on the right. The Temple of Saturn was originally erected in 497 BC and later rebuilt between 360 and 380 AD and dedicated to the god Saturn who was associated with agriculture and other peaceful skills. In addition the temple also served as the public treasury and was the focus of the popular December festival of Saturnalia, the most popular of all Roman festivals.