Porticus Octaviae

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Today's appearance of the Porticus Octaviae.
Today's appearance of the Porticus Octaviae.
Not to be confused with the Porticus Octavia.

The Porticus Octaviae (portico of Octavia; Italian: Portico di Ottavia) is an ancient structure in Rome.

Dedicated to his sister Octavia Minor's name, it was built by Augustus at some time after 27 BC, in place of the Porticus Metelli, around the temples of Jupiter Stator and Juno, next to the Theater of Marcellus. The statement of Cassius Dio that it was built after 33 BC from the spoils of the war in Dalmatia, is due to confusion with the porticus Octavia. It was burned in 80 and restored, probably by Domitian, and again after a second fire in 203 by Septimius Severus and Caracalla. It was adorned with foreign marble, and contained many famous works of art.

Another view of the current remains.
Another view of the current remains.

Besides the Temples, the enclosure included a library erected by Octavia in memory of her son Marcellus, the curia Octaviae, and a schola. Whether these were different parts of one building, or entirely different structures, is uncertain. It was probably in the curia that the senate is recorded as meeting . The whole is referred to by Pliny the Elder as Octaviae opera.

In the medieval era, it has been reused as a fish market, which lasted up to the end of 19th century. this role is remembered by the name of the annexed church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria (Italian: "St. Angelus in the Fish Market").

The portico, which lies in rione Sant'Angelo, represents the center of the roman Ghetto.

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