CHAP. IIII. The temples of Heliogabalus, Apollo, and the Penates: the house of Orcus; the place of the Pal∣ladium or image of Minerva; and the temple of Augustus.
ANtonius Heliogabalus consecrated a god in the mount Palatine, which hee called Heliogabalus, and built a temple in the verie place, where before stood that of Orcus or Pluto. But to win cre∣dit and name to this new & counterfeit god with great reverence and worship; he endeavou∣red to translate into this temple of his, the * 1.1 sacred cup of that great mother of the gods, the fire of Vesta, the image of Minerva called Palladium, the heavenly scutcheons, and all things else which the Romanes honoured above the rest. The Christian and Iewish religion also he there counterfeited, to the end, that no man in the religious worship of that temple and god, might alledge any pretence why hee should not with good conscience so doe.
Moreover, in the Palatine, there was built a most auncient temple of Apollo. This chaunced to be overthrowne by thunder and lightning; and when the soothsaiers gave out, that the god missed it and required another, Augustus Caesar adjoyned a porch to the ruines thereof, and reedified the tem∣ple anew that there stood: wherein himselfe when hee grew aged, many a time sate in counsell with the Senat, and empanelled the decuries of judges. In it likewise were pendant candlesticks, braun∣ched with armes like trees, whereon the approoved poets bestowed their writings. Certaine markes and tokens of this temple are to be seene (although obscurely) neere to the vineyard of Fedra, where the house of Tiberius stood. Vnto him were instituted the Apollinare games, whereof read Cicero.
The temple of the citie-protectours, called Penates, stood in that part of the Palatine which loo∣keth into the North, even on Velia not farre from the Forum. In it were the images of the Trojane gods. In the same are pourtraied two young men sitting togither, and holding a ball in their hand. In like manner, the crooked Augurs staves called Litui, of iron and brasse. Besides, an earthen Trojane vessell of potters worke. Apollo also and Neptune were there to be seene.
VVhen the temple of Vesta was on a light burning fire, the image of Pallas being saved out there∣of, was translated into Velia, and gave the name unto the temple of Palaca, now S. Andrewes church, standing in the same place.
Some report, that there was a temple built in Palatium to Augustus Caesar of famous memorie, by his daughter Livia.