Temple of Peace, Rome

Emperor Vespasian stood before the ruins of Jerusalem in 70 CE. He had just won a brutal war against Jewish rebels. The Roman army carried away vast treasures from the conquered city. These spoils would fund a new monument in Rome. Vespasian needed to show his power after years of civil conflict. The Temple of Peace served as a symbol of stability for the empire. It promised peace and prosperity under his rule. Statues and artifacts from Greece and Asia Minor filled its halls. Pliny the Elder recorded that Nero had moved these works to his Domus Aurea earlier. Now they rested in this grand complex. The temple was not a political forum like others. It lacked evidence of serving administrative functions. Instead it honored Pax, the goddess of peace. This choice reflected Vespasian's desire to project strength through culture rather than force.

The Spoils of Jerusalem

A seven-branched menorah stood inside the temple complex. It came directly from the Jerusalem Temple. Alongside it sat the Table of Shewbread. These objects were taken during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. They became central displays within the new building. The funds for construction came entirely from sacking Jerusalem. The Roman army collected these items as part of their victory. Their presence transformed the space into a trophy hall. Visitors could see the results of imperial conquest firsthand. The historian Procopius later wrote about emerald-encrusted treasures looted by Alaric I. Scholar Robert Coates-Stephens believes these belonged to Solomon. He argues they must have been stored here originally. Flavian's original booty formed the core collection. No other Roman site displayed such specific religious artifacts so prominently. The display reinforced the message of total Roman dominance over Judea.

Who built the Temple of Peace in Rome and when was it constructed?

Emperor Vespasian ordered the construction of the Temple of Peace to fund a new monument using spoils from Jerusalem. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Pax after Vespasian won a brutal war against Jewish rebels in 70 CE.

What artifacts were displayed inside the Temple of Peace in ancient Rome?

A seven-branched menorah and the Table of Shewbread stood inside the temple complex as central displays taken during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Statues by Polykleitos, Phidias, Naukydes of Argos, Myron, and Leochares also lined the walls alongside treasures acquired during the conquest of Jerusalem.

Where is the Temple of Peace located relative to other Roman landmarks?

The temple stood southeast of the Roman Forum on land between the Via Sacra and the Carinae. Its position offered views of the Velian Hill and the Colosseum while occupying the southeast side of the Argiletum district.

When did the Temple of Peace get destroyed and who restored it?

February 192 AD saw the temple destroyed by fire before Septimius Severus restored it around 203 AD. Emperor Constantius II visited Rome in 357 AD to admire the structure but the complex was never restored after Alaric I sacked Rome in 410 CE.

Why did Vespasian build a temple dedicated to peace instead of using it for administration?

Vespasian needed to show his power after years of civil conflict so he chose to honor Pax rather than create a political forum like others. The design prioritized visual impact over administrative utility to project strength through culture rather than force.

Temple of Peace, Rome

The Spoils of Jerusalem

Continue Browsing

Common questions

Who built the Temple of Peace in Rome and when was it constructed?

What artifacts were displayed inside the Temple of Peace in ancient Rome?

Where is the Temple of Peace located relative to other Roman landmarks?

When did the Temple of Peace get destroyed and who restored it?

Why did Vespasian build a temple dedicated to peace instead of using it for administration?

Architectural Layout and Design

Imperial Art Collections

Fire and Restoration History