053a.

[Tempio antico di Pallade]

This view should be seen in relationship to Vasi's close companion view of the Forum of Nerva, Plate 150A. In spite of the title, which refers to the church on the right, S. Maria in Macello Martyrum (3), this view is dedicated to the so-called Colonnacce ("bad old columns") which Vasi refers to as belonging to the Tempio antico di Pallade (1) (ancient temple of Pallas Athena). In fact they are the only survivors of the series of columns lining the two long sides of the ancient Forum of Nerva. Pallade is a reference to the temple which once stood within this forum, dedicated to Minerva, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Pallas Athena. The cross street is Via della Croce Bianca (NN 93), part of the archaic Via Suburrana. This view along Via Alessandrina (NN 79) is a continuation of the more distant image appearing in Plate 102. At the end of the street in both views is the early 4th century Basilica of Maxentius (2), which Vasi refers to as the Tempio della Pace (Temple of Peace). When the Renaissance neighborhood known as Pantano was totally destroyed in the early 1930s to make way for Mussolini's Via del Impero (now Via dei Fori Imperiali) all of the buildings in this view were demolished, except for the ancient ruins.