Temple of Hercules Victor

The Temple of Hercules Victor or Ercole Oleari (Hercules Protector of the Oleari) rises inside the Foro Boario, in Rome.

It is the oldest, surviving, marble building. Its construction dates back to 120 a.C. and it was restored during the Tiberian era.

The Temple has a circular shape and is defined by a single row of columns. It is formed by a cylindrical cella which opens towards the East and has a door that has undergone various modification with regard to it's height when the building was transformed into a church (consecrated in 1132 and dedicated to Santo Stefano delle Carrozze, only to be transformed into the church of Santa Maria del Sole during the XVII century).

Unfortunately, the superior part has been lost and therefore the roof that we see today is modern. Only one block of marble was saved upon which one can still read part of the inscription which carries the name of the divinities to which the Temple was dedicated, as well as the name of the Greek sculptor Skposa Minore, who built it.