Lacus Curtius
You can find more information over here.
A satellite photo can be found here.
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Lacus Curtius |
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The pool of the Lacus Curtius on the Forum Romanum. There were several legends about this monument. The most famous is told by the Roman historian Livy, who says that one day, the Romans woke up and saw that a large chasm had opened on the Forum Romanum. From the oracle of the Sibylline books, they learned that they had to sacrifice the most precious thing they had.. | |
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The monument near the pool, which shows what was most precious: the courage of a young soldier who sacrifices himself. Silver and gold had not closed the chasm, but a young man named Marcus Curtius understood the significance. Because he had been willing to die for his country, Rome was predicted a great future. | |
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The relief on the monument again, showing Marcus Curtius jumping into the chasm. There were other stories to explain the presence of a little lake or pool on the Forum. | |
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Three levels of pavement at the Lacus Curtius. They show that the pool
was always recognized as a sacred place, although it gradually became smaller.
Modern scholars believe that in very ancient times, this place was used
for human sacrifice. When it was struck by lighting and a consul
named Curtius surrounded the pool with a fence. This is a more prosaic
explanation of the name.
You can find more information over here. A satellite photo can be found here. |
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