Great Altar of Hercules
Encyclopedia
The Great Altar of Unconquered Hercules (Herculis Invicti Ara Maxima) stood in the Forum Boarium
of ancient Rome
. It was the earliest cult-centre of Hercules in Rome, predating the circular Temple of Hercules Victor
. The altar stood until it was demolished by order of Pope Sixtus IV
. Roman tradition made the spot the site where Hercules slew Cacus
and ascribed to Evander
its erection. In modern Rome, the site is in the north-east corner of Piazza di Bocca della Verità, north of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
.
The original altar burned in the Great Fire of Rome
, CE64, but was rebuilt and was still standing in the fourth century. Its exact site is uncertain, as no traces of it have been identified. A tentative identification of a tufa platform in the crypt of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
with the foundation of the altar has been made by Filippo Coarelli and other archaeologists.
Various references, with Varro
as their source, justified the exclusion of women from ceremonies here, or of partaking in the sacrificial meats. The rites at the Ara Maxima were unique within the cult of Hercules in that they were performed ritu Graeco, with heads uncovered.
Forum Boarium
The Forum Boarium was the cattle forum venalium of Ancient Rome and the oldest forum that Rome possessed. It was located on a level piece of land near the Tiber between the Capitoline, the Palatine and Aventine hills. Here, too, is where the first bridges were built...
of ancient Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. It was the earliest cult-centre of Hercules in Rome, predating the circular Temple of Hercules Victor
Temple of Hercules Victor
The Temple of Hercules Victor or Hercules Olivarius is an ancient edifice located in the Forum Boarium close to the Tiber in Rome. It is a monopteros, a round temple of Greek 'peripteral' design completely encircled by a colonnade...
. The altar stood until it was demolished by order of Pope Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV , born Francesco della Rovere, was Pope from 1471 to 1484. His accomplishments as Pope included the establishment of the Sistine Chapel; the group of artists that he brought together introduced the Early Renaissance into Rome with the first masterpiece of the city's new artistic age,...
. Roman tradition made the spot the site where Hercules slew Cacus
Cacus
In Roman mythology, Cacus was a fire-breathing giant monster and the son of Vulcan.-Mythology:Cacus lived in a cave in the Palatine Hill in Italy, the future site of Rome. To the horror of nearby inhabitants, Cacus lived on human flesh and would nail the heads of victims to the doors of his cave...
and ascribed to Evander
Evander
In Roman mythology, Evander , also spelled Euander, was a deific culture hero from Arcadia, Greece, who brought the Greek pantheon, laws and alphabet to Italy, where he founded the city of Pallantium on the future site of Rome, sixty years...
its erection. In modern Rome, the site is in the north-east corner of Piazza di Bocca della Verità, north of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Santa Maria in Cosmedin
The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy. It is located in the rione of Ripa.- History :The church was built in the 8th century during the Byzantine Papacy over the remains of the Templum Herculis Pompeiani in the Forum Boarium and of the Statio annonae, one...
.
The original altar burned in the Great Fire of Rome
Great Fire of Rome
The Great Fire of Rome was an urban fire that occurred beginning July 19, AD 64.-Background:According to Tacitus, the fire spread quickly and burned for six days. Only four of the fourteen districts of Rome escaped the fire; three districts were completely destroyed and the other seven suffered...
, CE64, but was rebuilt and was still standing in the fourth century. Its exact site is uncertain, as no traces of it have been identified. A tentative identification of a tufa platform in the crypt of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Santa Maria in Cosmedin
The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy. It is located in the rione of Ripa.- History :The church was built in the 8th century during the Byzantine Papacy over the remains of the Templum Herculis Pompeiani in the Forum Boarium and of the Statio annonae, one...
with the foundation of the altar has been made by Filippo Coarelli and other archaeologists.
Various references, with Varro
Varro
Varro was a Roman cognomen carried by:*Marcus Terentius Varro, sometimes known as Varro Reatinus, the scholar*Publius Terentius Varro or Varro Atacinus, the poet*Gaius Terentius Varro, the consul defeated at the battle of Cannae...
as their source, justified the exclusion of women from ceremonies here, or of partaking in the sacrificial meats. The rites at the Ara Maxima were unique within the cult of Hercules in that they were performed ritu Graeco, with heads uncovered.