Triangular Forum and Doric Temple, Pompei

The Triangular Forum stands at the highest point of Pompei, on the brow of the hill on which the city was built. It is even visible from ships passing along the coast. A central public space, it has a number of important buildings around its perimeter. The large theatre connects to the forum via a stairway, whilst two gymnasiums and a bakery also back onto the open space. This was at odds with the Triangular Forum’s main purpose as a sacred, reflective spot.

A number of intriguing features remain in the Triangular Forum today. There is a mysterious tomb like structure at the foot of the ruined temple, thought to be a monument to the founder of Pompei. You can also find the remains of three tuff stone altars, dated to the pre-Roman era, and a well flanked by Doric columns. Behind the well, a semi-circular tuff stone seat offers the city’s finest view over the Gulf of Naples to the west.

A Doric temple built from Sarno limestone stands in the centre of the forum. It is one of the oldest buildings in Pompei, and is believed to have stood here since the sixth century BC. At this time, Pompei belonged to Greece, and was part of the powerful state of Cumar.

The temple is believed to have been a place of worship for Hercules, the mythical founder of the city, and later Minerva, goddess of wisdom and war. Reconstructed during the Samnite period, it appears that the temple fell out of usage in the Roman era. Unlike many Roman temples, which often feature a podium at their centre, the entirety of the Doric Temple is raised several feet off the ground, and accessed by broad stone steps on each side.

The temple was once flanked by short, wide columns, though now only stumps remain. At the centre, the cella is divided into two chambers. One chamber features a large flag, embedded into the floor. In front of the temple, there is a small walled enclosure, similar to a cella. This is thought to be a heroon, a small shrine to an idol or hero – in this case, Hercules.