Roman Temples

Archaeologists working at Cupra Marittima in the Marche in Italy have discovered significant remains of the wall painting of a first century AD temple. This can be closely dated and antedates a major reconstruction of the building in 127 by the Emperor Hadrian. The plaster was removed at that point and survived as underfloor filling.

The decorative scheme that is indicated - a heavenly blue ceiling and walls decorated in red, yellow and black with green bands and ornamental swags and candelabra - is clearly a rare survival and of interest in itself. It is also, to my mind, interesting as a link, or arguable link, between more ancient forms of shrine decoration and what became very much the norm for Christian art in churches for the next two millenia.

The excavation and the finds are described in a CNN report which can be seen at New discoveries hint at 2,000-year-old Roman temple's colorful history

There is a more concise account from Archaeology. org at Fresco Fragments Discovered at Roman Temple Site

Just as I came upon this story my algorithm turned up a detailed account of another Hadrianic temple, and one that survives much as it was rebuilt by the Emperor, the Pantheon in Rome. The article describes the origins and history of the temple, its rebuilding, and the changes wrought by time and chance that have created what we see today.

The article, from Art in Context, can be seen at Pantheon Rome - A Look at the Roman Pantheon's Architecture