Temple Of Diana In Merida, Spain, By Oscarps

The architecture and urbanism practiced by the Greeks and Romans was clearly distinguished from that of the Egyptians and Babylonians as civil life became more important. While the previous towns developed only the military, religious and residential architectures, the Greeks and Romans were responsible for the development of spaces peculiar to the civic manifestation and daily chores: the Greek agora was defined as a large public space destined to the realization Of assemblies, surrounded by temples, markets and public buildings. The Agora space became a symbol of the new worldview, which included respect for common interests, and an incentive for debate among citizens, rather than the old despotic order.

Front West Temple of Diana

Temple of Diana is a Roman temple built towards the end of the first century BC. C. in Augusta Emerita, that later would become capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, present Mérida (Spain).

The temple was erected when the foundation of the city at the end of the 1st century BC. C., in time of the emperor Caesar Augustus, reason why it is one of the oldest buildings of the Roman colony.

It was raised in the municipal forum of the Roman city following the usual configuration of the classic Greco-Roman temples and is the only Roman religious building that has survived in Merida in an acceptable state of conservation.

In fact it was dedicated to the imperial cult and not the divinity Diana. Since 1993 it has been declared a World Heritage Site as part of the Archeological Complex of Mérida.

It was dedicated to the imperial cult and not the divinity Diana. Since 1993 it has been declared a World Heritage Site as part of the Archeological Complex of Mérida.

To give a greater sense of richness, the granite granite of the columns was dressed in stucco painted red that imitated the marble, now disappeared.

Built with granite rock, its structure follows that of other Greco-Roman religious buildings, as it is a rectangular-shaped temple

The colonnade, with attic bases, ribbed shafts and capitals of Corinthian order, rests on a high podium of ashlars and is crowned by a molded cornice.