Plate 63. The Temple of Vesta at Tivoli

With the Romans, the Corinthian order, which they learned from the Greeks, appears at first with the denticular entablature and Attic base as did also the Ionic. Vitruvius also has prescribed in his work the Ionic entablature for the use of the Corinthian order (although he at the same time leaves it to the judgment of the architect); likewise he allows the Doric entablature to be used over the Corinthian columns, but to the credit of the later architects be it said, we know of no example of such a combination. On the contrary we find on the Portico of the Pantheon at Rome (erected about his time) the Corinthian order with an entirely new entablature invented for it, which soon found imitation on the many great structures which were carried out in the Corinthian style by the art-loving Romans. This individuality is mainly through the use of the modillions or consoles under the corona, of which arrangement Vitruvius does not speak. The Romans also brought forth an individual and more membered base for the Corinthian column which, together with the more elaborate entablature, stood in excellent harmony with the richest type of decorated capital. This capital, however, is still to be considered as a modification of the Greek (See Plates 54 and 58), although we find a difference in that the Romans as a rule, beside the corner volutes, also decorated the front with center volutes and instead of the acanthus, often used olive leaves. The details and ornament on the monuments of the best period, from Augustus to Septimius Severus, do not appear in such a simple and logical arrangement as with the Greeks, but with a certain understanding of decorative effects arranged in lifelike forms, full of expression and extreme beauty. The works of later times, however, show us a confusion which led to a complete deterioration.

On the rugged cliff overhanging the deep valley in which the river Anio flows we see standing so picturesquely the remains of the admirable Temple of Vesta erected in the time of Emperor Augustus. It was a round Peripteral with 18 columns, of which 10 with the entablature and ceiling together with a portion of the cella wall with the door and one of two windows still remain. Portions of the architectural parts consist of travertine and were covered with a thin stucco, though the wall of the cella is of volcanic material dressed with coarse pebbles on which traces of stucco application can also still be observed. The roof was probably closed with a cupola form. The door and window are given on Plate 93.

The circular foundation, the columns, entablature and ceiling are given on this plate. The columns do not stand perpendicularly, but lean inward, so that the inner line of the taper is almost vertical, whereby the entire structure receives a pyramidal form and gains stability.

The type of the capital is of a different style than the usual; the strong corner volutes under the heavy abacus are formed like ram's horns, and between them is a large lotus flower of much projection. The two rows of leaves below present a character far different than the usual acanthus, being of a curly form* with the edges bent forward. Similar curled foliage is also found on several other Roman and Pompeian capitals. On the plate are given the corner and front views of this interesting capital, and between is a section through the middle of the front. Lower is given a plan through the volutes and one taken at the bottom of the leaves with all parts above shown.

The bases of the columns have no plinths; they could properly be omitted on account of the circular plan of the colonnade. The absence of a scotia between the tori of the base, which otherwise is formed like the attic, gives it a compressed appearance not to be recommended. The beginning of the flutes at the base is peculiar and also not worthy of imitation.

The architrave and frieze are in one piece and reach from column to column, the under surface being a little less than the neck of the column. The frieze is festively ornamented in a vigorous manner. We find here, instead of the scull so often occurring on Roman works, an admirable steer's head with festoons and rosettes. On our plate the order is drawn as a corner; actually, of course, this was not the case, the building being round.

The cornice is of one stone in height, on the rear side of which is worked the ceiling cornice supporting the slabs spanning to the cella wall. In each of these ceiling slabs are two panels, each decorated with a rosette. The inner side of the entablature is shown in the elevation by dotted line. The entablature is, in comparison with others, unusually low, but on account of the strong relief of its frieze decoration, it has a robust appearance.

We find the proportions on this small monument strong, earnest, and elegant. Its erection belongs to the time of the beginning of the Augustan age, and on account of its round form is considered as the shrine of Vesta. Against such an assumption, however, the steers' heads in the frieze seem to offer evidence as no bloody offerings were taken to Vesta.

*The foliage of the capitals seem to have been formed of the acanthus mollis.— Anderson, Greece and Rome.