"The temple was consecrated to Saturn, upon the ascent leading from
the Forum to the Capitol. Before this, the altar erected by the
followers of Hercules stood there" (Dionysius, vi. 1. See _ibid._, i.
34).
Only eight Ionic columns, with their capitals and architraves, remain.
It was on the steps of this temple that the generals took the oath
that they had given a correct account of their spoil and prisoners. It
contained the public treasury, and, according to Solinus, was called
the Treasury of Saturn. Livy (ii. 21) says, "In the consulate of Aulus
Sempronius and Marcus Minucius, A.U.C. 257, the Temple of Saturn was
dedicated." Plutarch says, "Publicola appointed the Temple of Saturn
to be the treasury, which they still make use of for that purpose, and
empowered the people to choose two young men as quæstors or
treasurers." The inscription is still _in situ_.
SENATUS . POPULUSQUE . ROMANUS . INCENDIO . CONSUMPTUM .
RESTITUIT.
[Illustration: TEMPLE OF VESPASIAN, TABULARIUM, AND PORTICO OF THE
TWELVE GODS.]