Temple of Miróbriga

Category: Archaeology > Temple

District: Setúbal > Santiago do Cacém > Celões > Miróbriga

Location

The Temple of Miróbriga is located within the archaeological complex of the ancient Roman city of Miróbriga, situated in the area of Celões, in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém. Erected on a natural elevation, the site offers a privileged perspective over the surrounding landscape. This strategic position allowed, in antiquity, extensive visual control over a vast region, rich in agricultural, maritime, and mining resources, which contributed to the prominent role the settlement played.

The Religious Centre of a Roman City

The Temple of Miróbriga was a central piece in the religious and civic life of the city, being integrated into its forum. The forum was the heart of Roman public life, where administration, commerce, and religion converged. During the Roman Era, Miróbriga experienced a period of great development, marked by significant expansion and the construction of grandiose edifices, among which its temples stand out.

Cults and Deities

In this important public space, the forum of Miróbriga, there were two main temples. One of them was, with high probability, dedicated to the imperial cult, an expression of devotion and loyalty to the Roman emperors, fundamental for the unity of the empire. The other temple honored the goddess Venus, a Roman deity associated with love, beauty, fertility, and, in certain contexts, with the very origin of Rome. The presence of these temples underscores the religious importance and degree of Romanization of the city of Miróbriga.

A Legacy from the Past

The ruins where the Temple of Miróbriga is located are witnesses to an occupation that extended from the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age until the 4th century CE. The relevance of these structures was recognized as early as the 16th century by scholars such as André Resende. Archaeological excavations, initiated in the 19th century, have been unveiling the grandeur and complexity of this ancient urban center and its places of worship. The Temple, as an integral part of this complex, represents a valuable legacy that allows for a better understanding of the lives and beliefs of its ancient inhabitants.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt