Continuing the trend started by Julius Caesar, Augustus vowed a temple (to Mars Ultor, to avenge the assassination of Caesar) and built it in a new forum space. The construction took a long time: vowed in 42 BC, completed in 2 BC. The result was a stunning colored marble extravaganza that had never been realized in Rome until Augustus. The complex, stunningly described by Ovid (Fasti 5.549-570) was also a sort of public atrium of Augustus’ family, showcasing the great men of Italy and of Augustus’ ancestors, into a single statement focused on his own greatness, matched by the gilded bronze quadric statue of Augustus in the center of the piazza (Augustus, Res Gestae 35). It was used for business, Senate deliberations, point of departure for generals heading to the provinces, and repository of triumphal insignia (Suetonius, Aug. 29.1-2).

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