The Maison Carrée: Roman Temple in Nîmes

Introduction to the Maison Carrée

The Maison Carrée is a pseudoperipteral Roman temple located in the urban area of Nîmes, France. Its construction dates back to the time of Agrippa, around 16 BC. The original author of this description is anonymous.

Construction Materials

The Maison Carrée was built using materials such as marble, particularly for its upper sections and decorative elements.

Architectural System and Details

The temple's construction system is based on wall lintels and features Corinthian columns. It utilizes a base derived from the Attic base. The capitals are adorned with three rows of acanthus leaves, with each leaf in the upper rows placed between two leaves of the bottom row. At the center, a rosette is found between the cauliculi. The column shafts may be smooth or fluted. The cornice exhibits a significant projection.

Temple Type and Function

The Maison Carrée is a rectangular, hexastyle temple, measuring approximately 22 by 12 meters. It embodies the generalized type of Roman temple with the following features:

• Derived from Greek temples, but with significant Etruscan influence.
• The podium often contained rooms for storing records and items associated with worship.
• The interior cella (main chamber) could be single or tripartite.
• Access to the temple was typically only from the front. Columns on the sides and rear facades are usually attached to the wall, resulting in a pseudoperipteral temple.

The building served a religious function as a temple, dedicated to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, the adopted grandsons of Emperor Augustus.

Interior Layout

The plan is rectangular, featuring a rectangular interior or cella.

Exterior Features

Key external features include the podium, the engaged columns on the sides and rear, the freestanding columns of the portico, the entablature, and the double-slope roof with projecting eaves.

Historical Context and Significance

In the Roman Empire, the most important cult was that dedicated to the emperor. Any rejection of this cult was seen as a challenge to imperial authority, which explains the persecution of Christians until 313 AD. The Maison Carrée is a typical pseudoperipteral temple of the Roman world. It is a symbol of Roman influence and reflects the preferences of the provincial aristocracy. It is decorated with floral motifs inspired by the Ara Pacis.