42.2159 The Temple of Venus and Roma
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The Temple of Venus and Roma

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This temple, designed by emperor Hadrian himself, was dedicated to the patron goddesses of Rome. Roma, the divine personifaction of the city, and Venus, the mother of Aenaeas ancestor of Romulus and Remus.
It was this temple which caused the famous rift between Hadrian and Apollodorus, the brilliant court architect of emperor Trajan. For when asked his opinion about the emperor's design, Apollodorus pointed out that the seated statues of the godesses were too large for the temple. For if they would stand up, they would actually knock their heads on the ceiling.
But Hadrian was not a man able to handle criticism. Those comments should eventually cost Apollodorus his life.

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Model of Rome in the days of Constantine the Great
Museo della Civilta, Rome