Crossing the Porta Triomphalis, then the
Arch of Arcadius, Theodosius and Honorius, ,
we come to the part called Tarentum, where stood two great temples built on a terrace.
Left the
Temple of Dis Pater (Roman equivalent of god Pluto) and right the
Temple
of Prosperina. Prosperina is the name given by the Romans to
Persephona whom they assimilated with the old Italic goddess Libera.
They consider her mainly as the queen of infernal world, spouse of Pluto.
Her cult was introduced into Rome in 249, by order of the Sybillan Books.
Prosperina shared with her husband Pluto a common altar,
Ara Ditis et Prosperinæ that you can notice at the bottom
of the steps, facing the two temples. It’s on this place
that the Tarentinian Games were celebrated.
These two imposing temples made surely a great impression.
Quite close to the temple of Prosperina, the
House of Julius Martialis, tribune in 69 AD.
Going further down the Via Tecta, we cross on our right the
Trigarium.
This wide space which has the shape of a circus, was used only for the training
of running chariots. Besides, next to the Trigarium were the
stables
of the great factions who ran for fame in the Circus Maximus of Rome.
After having left the Trigarium, and the stables of the faction of the Whites behind us, we come to the huge
l'immense
shipyards (
Navalia )
that were alongside the Tiber, and were used to dock and repair many
ships navigating on the river. This old military dockyard housed the
long quinqueremes of the Roman fleet. The Aurelian wall has been slightly
bent inwards to offer a better space for the activities of the harbour.
