Temple of Vespasian

The name was due to a theory attributing the temple to the worship of Emperor Vespasian himself.

At the time of the eruption the building was in the process of either being built or renovated. The small temple stands at the back of the atrium and has four columns on the façade; access to it is gained through two small staircases at the sides of the podium, where a statue of the emperor was situated.

In the middle there is a white marble altar decorated with a bas-relief: one long side shows a scene of a bull sacrifice, typical of the Imperial worship; in the background a temple is sculpted, similar to this one. The sculptures probably recount celebratory sacrifices which took place when the temple was inaugurated; the short sides depict ritualistic tools; the other long side has a crown of oak leaves lying on a shield, symbolizing the majesty of the emperor.

According to some theories, the temple was  originally dedicated to the deified Octavian Augustus and from then onward was re-dedicated to the following emperors, the last of them being Vespasian.