Temple of the Virile Fortune

This temple is in the Piazza Bocca della Verità, the ancient Forum Boarium.

Rather than a temple for male fortune, it was probably dedicated to the god of the harbour, Portunus. It is one of the most ancient monuments of Rome, maybe even from the time of the kings, i.e., 6th century BC, but it definitely existed in the 2nd century BC. It was restored and changed several times in Antiquity, and the present look is from late republican times, 1st century BC.

The temple is very well preserved and gives a brilliant impression of an early Roman temple. It is built on a travertine clad brick podium, the Corinthian columns, four in front, two behind and five half columns on the sides and two behind, are of travertine, while the cella is made of blocks of tuff. Originally it was covered with stucco, which has since disappeared.

In 872 it was converted into a church, Santa Maria Egiziaca, which has contributed immensely to its preservation. Until 1923 it was the church of the Armenian population of Rome.

The temple/church is closed to the public.