Remains of this temple have been discovered in the recent excavations
on the Sacra Via, between the Temple of Antoninus Pius and the Temple
of Romulus. From the slight remains found, it seems that three of its
sides were formed by deep apses, the fourth side fronting towards the
Via Sacra, and entered by a portico.
[Illustration]
Dionysius (v. 19), Plutarch in "Publicola," and Livy (ii. 7) record
that Publius Valerius, surnamed Publicola, built a house on the Velia
overlooking the Forum; but owing to the invidious remarks made he
pulled the house down, and re-erected it at the foot of the Velia.
Plutarch adds, "upon the spot where the Temple of Victory now stands."
Livy also says, "The house was built at the foot of the hill where the
Temple of Victory now stands." Dionysius (v. 48) says, after speaking
of the poverty of Publicola, "The senate decreed that he should be
buried at the expense of the public, and appointed a place in the
city, under the hill called Velia, near the Forum, where his body was
burnt and buried."
[Illustration: PLAN OF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE SACRA VIA.
A Temple of Antoninus Pius.
B Temple of Victory.
C Temple of Romulus.
D Temple of Venus and Roma.
E Temple of the Penates.
F Mediæval Portico.
G Arch of Titus.]
This Temple of Victory was dedicated, B.C. 295, by the consul Lucius
Postumus. "He dedicated the Temple of Victory, for the building of
which he had provided, when curule ædile, out of the money arising
from fines" (Livy, x. 33).
This temple is represented on a coin of Gordianus III., 240 A.D., who
restored it after his Persian victories.