5. Trajan’s Kiosk

One of the most surprising of all Roman temples lies on an island in Lake Nasser, upper Egypt. At Philae a complex of temples had grown for half a millennium before Rome controlled the land, but under the emperors the complex was expanded, rebuilt and made far grander. One of the most enigmatic and impressive structures on the island is the Kiosk of Trajan, which contains a carving of one of Rome’s greatest emperors portrayed as a pharaoh. The temple includes many other Roman-Egyptian monuments, but the temple with the lotus-capitals, one of the most Iconic Egyptian sights in the country, is also a temple that displays a Roman emperor.

4. Hagia Sophia

There have been three churches on this site in Constantinople, and one might argue that none of them were Roman temples. Those of Constantius II in 360 and Theodosius II in 415 were churches in the traditional Byzantine form. Then, following an earthquake, the church was built in its final form by Justinian in 532 and, with few alterations, such as the minarets, that is the form in which it has survived, intact, to the present day in the city of Istanbul. It has serves as a church, a mosque and a museum, but in every form it remains in basis a temple, and the last great temple for which we can thank Roman culture. The ambitious church has, in fact, become so ingrained in the psyche over the millennia that its form has been copied again and again and became the blueprint for the Ottoman mosque. Harbouring Viking carvings, imperial mosaics and even the circle (Omphalion) where emperors were crowned.

3. Palestrina Sanctuary

Less than 20 miles from Rome, on a hillside in the town once known as Praeneste, sits the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia. Dating to the 3rd century BC, this magnificent temple rises in terraces, colonnades, staircases and decorative lines up the hillside to be crowned by a semi-circular edifice with its own ritual theatre. Not only is the sanctuary impressive in its size and scale, it is also unique, it has survived well, retaining many of its features for over two millennia. Moreover, most people can name a few of the higher Roman gods, but Fortuna is less represented in temples empire-wide and Fortuna Primigenia even less so. Parents would bring their firstborn (the primigenial) to the temple for a blessing in the hope that they would survive infancy. The sanctuary was also home to an oracle!

2. Garni

When one imagines a Roman temple, a certain image prevails. With perfect Vitruvian dimensions of 3:2, rectangular, a peaked roof and a decorated pediment, surrounded, or at least fronted by columns. The empire is replete with excellent surviving examples. Nimes, Pula, Rome, Evora, temples like this are to be seen in all corners of the empire. What makes the temple of Garni particularly interesting is not the form, nor its quality. In fact, one might argue that it is not a Roman temple at all. It lies outside the empire’s borders and was dedicated to the local god Mihr. The temple was built by the king of Armenia, following the Roman example at a time when Armenia was an ally, even a protectorate of Rome. Its location is stunning, its survival impressive, its nature absolutely unique. It is the only Roman temple that isn’t.

1. Pantheon

Without doubt the most famous ancient temple in the city of Rome, and one of the most recognised Roman structures in the world. The circular temple was built by Augustus’ right-hand man, Marcus Agrippa, and then rebuilt by Hadrian. A temple to all the gods (Pan-Theon), it is a remarkable building. Still bearing its stunning multi-chrome marble floor from all across the empire and columns brought from Egypt, it also boasts original bronze doors, the oldest in Rome, and a unique dome. The construction of the roof is fascinating, formed of concentric rising circles of increasingly light and delicate materials, meaning it requires no ribs or beams and is entirely self-supporting. At the apex is an oculus, an opening to the sky, which plays an amazing trick. On the city’s birthday, April 21st, the sun through the oculus fills the entrance with light. Truly, the Pantheon is the queen of Roman temples.

Simon Turney is the acclaimed author of the Rise of the Emperors series. His latest book is Praetorian: Blades of Antioch.