III. 
THE IMPERIAL ATRIUM OF THE FIRST PERIOD. 
General Description: ‘The new Atrium which arose after the fire of Nero,’ 
which we have called the imperial Atrium of the first period, was, as has 
been said,’ wholly distinct from the earlier republican Atrium Vesta, as 
it was also from the other imperial buildings inside the precinct.* It differed 
from the republican Atrium in materials and methods of construction, as 
well as in extent, orientation, and level. From the buildings of the period 
also, it differed in orientation and level. In its size the new Atrium, which 
was not out of keeping with the other buildings which arose out of the ashes 
of the great fire, was a striking contrast to that of the Republic. Its length 
was more than 70 meters, exclusive of the garden, which extended at least 
15 or 20 meters further to the east. Its width was not less than 45 meters. 
Beyond the Atrium on the north, there was also, opening upon a narrow 
street, a line of small shops 4.50 meters deep, which were a part of the 
building structurally and belonged probably to the Vestals. The street itself, 
which connects the Forum directly with the height of the Velia, is to be 
assigned to this period, since in this part of its course, it is built upon the 
remains of the Domus publica, as are the shops opening upon it. The new 
Atrium extended from the rear wall of the shops to the Nova Via on the 
south.* It was bounded on the west by the precinct of Juturna. On the 
east its exact extent is unknown. It is probable, however, that on this side 
it extended to the row of shops’ opening upon the street in the rear of the 
Atrium. The ancient altar® northeast of the Atrium was destroyed in the 
course of the erection of these shops.’ The new building was made to con- 
form in its orientation to the south side of the Forum and to the new Nova 
Via,® though the Regia and the temple remained unchanged. It is difficult 
to fix accurately the level of this period. It can not have been, however, less 
1 Plan B, cf. plan A. 6 Plan A, B, and p. 19. 
2 See above, p. 4. 7Plan A, m’-m’". 
3 The later Atrium and the temple of Vesta were 8 Jordan (/.c., 28) suggested that the change was 
surrounded by a common precinct wall. brought about by the great mass of the 
They were, however, structurally distinct temple of Venus and Rome. This is of 
from each other. course impossible, since, as we now know, 
4 The earlier Nova Via was at this time destroyed the first imperial Atrium was built a half- 
and the present street built in its place. century earlier than the temple. The orien- 
5 Plan A, m’-m”. Towards the east also there may tation of the Domus Aurea, however, which 
have been a few shops opening upon the differed but slightly from that of the later 
Nova Via. Concerning the existence of temple (see Huelsen-Carter, The Roman 
these shops, however, with the exception Forum, plate 2) may not have been without 
of one, the evidence is not conclusive. its influence. 
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