Aedes Minervae in Foro Boario.

Abstract

In this article the Autor advances a new interpretation for the archaic temple discovered beneath the twin shrines of Fortuna and Mater Matuta in the Forum Boarium. Analysing Colini’s (the excavator’s) interpretation by which this temple is assumed to be a temple of Mater Matuta, he shows us how this assumption is based in scanty and indirect evidence. Even so, it is accepted by specialists as a real dogma. Comparing the statuary group connected with the second phase of the archaic temple with a recently restored terracotta statue group from Portonaccio Sanctuary at Veii, the Autor arrives at a very different conclusion. As a matter of fact, he is able to demonstrate that this archaic temple in Forum Boarium is in reality an “Aedes Minervae” and not Mater M atuta’s temple as is usually assumed.