the Avenger. Vowed by Augustus at the battle of Philippi, B.C. 42, and
erected by him in the centre of his new forum.
Three beautiful pillars, and part of the wall of the cella and of the
roof of the vestibule, still exist near the Arco dei Pantani, which
owes its medieval name to the marshes caused by the water collecting
in this neighbourhood. They stand upon a substruction only excavated a
few years ago, and present one of the finest specimens extant of a
temple, all the essential parts of which have been preserved. The
gigantic walls of rectangular blocks of tufa, into which the
travertine arch already mentioned was introduced for the purpose of
forming a communication with the other part of the city, are most
imposing, and formed part of the second wall of Rome and the boundary
of the Forum of Augustus.
[Illustration: TRAJAN'S FORUM.]
"The Temple of Mars was built in fulfilment of a vow made during the
war of Philippi, undertaken by him to avenge his (adopted) father's
murder. He ordained that the senate should always assemble there when
they met to deliberate respecting wars and triumphs; that thence
should be despatched all those who were sent into the provinces in the
command of armies; and that in it those who returned victorious from
the wars should lodge the trophies of their triumphs" (Suetonius,
"Augustus," xxix.).
"The Emperor Augustus, being consul with Caninius Gallus, gratified
the eyes and minds of the Roman people, on the occasion of dedicating
the Temple to Mars, with the most magnificent spectacles of gladiators
and a sea-fight" (Velleius Paterculus, ii. 100).
By entering the stonemason's yard, _opposite_ the temple, we can see
the travertine niches built by Augustus up against the wall of the
kings, to receive the statues which he put up in the porticoes.
_Passing down this street, Via Bonella, in the direction of the Roman
Forum, on our right, No. 44, green door, is_