How did Roman temples develop the Greek model, and what did they reveal about Roman religion?
Roman temples and religious architecture: how Roman temples drew on but differed from Greek ones (the high podium, frontal steps and deep porch), their location in the forum and city, key examples such as the Maison Carree and the Pantheon, and what they reveal about Roman religion and power.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of Roman temples in Myth and Religion. Covers how Roman temples drew on but differed from Greek ones (the podium, frontal steps and deep porch), their location in the forum, examples such as the Maison Carree and the Pantheon, and what they reveal about Roman religion and power, with the source and essay skills the J199/11 paper rewards.
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What this dot point is asking
Myth and Religion is a comparative paper, so as well as the Greek temple you must know Roman temples. You need to understand how Roman temples drew on but differed from Greek ones (the high podium, frontal steps and deep porch), their location in the forum and city, key examples (such as the Maison Carree and the Pantheon), and what they reveal about Roman religion and power. The paper tests precise knowledge (AO1) and the analysis of temple images plus your own argument (AO2).
The answer
Drawing on the Greek temple
How Roman temples differed
Location and key examples
What Roman temples reveal
Roman temples show religion serving the gods and the state together:
- As houses for the gods beside the altar, they were genuine centres of worship.
- Their podium, frontal design and position in the forum made them dominate the city and impress the viewer.
- Dedicated by rulers, and built with bold engineering (the Pantheon), they proclaimed the power of Rome.
So Roman temples honoured the gods while also displaying Roman wealth, skill and authority.
Examples in context
A strong essay would argue Roman temples did both at once: honouring the gods while their design and position deliberately impressed and proclaimed the power of the city and its rulers.
Try this
Q1. What is the oculus of the Pantheon? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The central circular opening at the top of the Pantheon's great concrete dome, which lets light into the temple; the Pantheon was dedicated to all the gods and showed off Roman engineering.
Q2. Explain why a Roman temple was usually placed in the forum. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The forum was the main public square at the heart of the city, so placing the temple there put religion at the centre of public life and let the temple's podium and frontal design dominate and impress the citizens.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J199/11 2020 (style)4 marksDescribe two ways a typical Roman temple differed from a Greek temple. [4]Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (4 marks, AO1, 2 marks each). Reward two distinct, accurate differences.
Difference one. A Roman temple usually stood on a high podium (raised platform) approached by a flight of steps only at the front, giving it a single, dominant frontal approach; a Greek temple usually had low steps on all sides.
Difference two. A Roman temple often had a deep porch (portico) of free-standing columns at the front, with columns along the sides sometimes attached to the wall (engaged), rather than a full free-standing colonnade all around as on a Greek temple.
Top marks. Two clear, correct differences (for example podium and frontal steps, deep frontal porch, engaged side columns).
OCR J199/11 2021 (essay, true tariff 15)15 marks'Roman temples were designed to impress people as much as to honour the gods.' How far do you agree? Justify your response. [marked here out of 15; this is the true J199/11 tariff]Show worked answer →
The 15-mark extended response (AO1 and AO2). The marker rewards a clear argument supported by named examples.
For (to impress). The high podium, frontal steps and deep porch made Roman temples dominate the forum and draw the eye to the entrance; temples were often dedicated by emperors and generals and placed at the city centre, displaying power and piety, and grand buildings like the Pantheon showed off Roman engineering.
Against (to honour the gods). They were still genuine houses for the cult statue with an altar for sacrifice, dedicated to specific gods, and central to civic worship.
Judgement. The top band argues a clear line, for example that Roman temples did both at once: they honoured the gods while their design and position deliberately impressed and proclaimed the power of the city and its rulers. Support with named features and examples.
Related dot points
- The concept of sacred space (the sanctuary and altar), the form, function and location of the Greek and Roman temple, its key architectural features (columns, cella, pediment, the orders), and the religious meaning of temples such as the Parthenon.
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- Myth and the symbols of power: the use of gods, heroes and foundation myths to project political authority, with a focus on Augustus (his association with Apollo, Venus, Aeneas and Romulus) and monuments such as the Ara Pacis, and the use of mythic imagery on coins, statues and buildings.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Classical Civilisation J199 specification — OCR (2017)