The Sanctuary of Apollo, to the west of the Forum, was founded by the first half of the sixth century BC. The temple was rebuilt along Hellenistic lines during the second century BC (A12). In the early 70s BC, one of the first actions of the Roman veteran colonists on their arrival in the town was to rededicate the temple’s main altar, perhaps as a symbol of the change in regime (B7). At some point before 2 BC, permission was given for the sanctuary to encroach upon neighbouring space (E1). There are some signs of structural repair following earthquake damage, perhaps from ad 62 (C4), but this was not completed before the eruption. Elegant bronze statues of Apollo and his sister Diana in their guise as archer-gods were found in the sanctuary, as well as an impressive sundial, mounted upon a marble column next to the temple (E2).
Modifications to the Sanctuary: end of first century BC, before 2 BC (E1)
This inscription relates to changes either in the sanctuary’s relationship with the Forum to the east or with private houses to the west. It gives legal permission for the blocking off of light from space adjacent to the sanctuary. It names the town in formal terms as the colo'nia
Veneria Co'rnelia. This initially led to the Temple of Apollo, where this was found, being erroneously identified as the Temple of Venus. For Holconius Rufus, see also D51, D53—54, F89.
Marcus Holconius Rufus, duumvir with judicial power for the third time and Gnaeus Egnatius Postumus, duumvir with judicial power for the second time, in accordance with a decree of the town councillors paid 3,000 sesterces for the right to block off light, and saw to the building of a private wall belonging to the colonia Veneria Cornelia as far as the roof.
Dedication of a sundial (E2)
Standing next to the temple podium, this sundial mounted on an Ionic column is accompanied by an inscribed plaque, recording its donation by a pair of magistrates. The same pair of magistrates also donated a seat and sundial in the Triangular Forum (CIL X 831).
Lucius Sepunius Sandilianus, son of Lucius, and Marcus Herennius Epidianus, son of Aulus, duumvirs with judicial power, saw to this being made at their own expense.
World History
