Temple of Faustina
At the north end of the Upper Court (terrace west of the Telesterion), there are preserved the foundations of a temple that was erected, most probably, in the time of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD), to honour the wife of Antoninus Pius, Faustina the Elder, who, after her death, in 140 AD in Rome, was deified and venerated as «New Demeter».
Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD) just before he died, appointed as his successor to the imperial throne, Marcus Aurelius. He as a token of gratitude implemented projects in the eleusinian Sanctuary, such as renovation of the Telesterion and erection of the temple to Faustina.
The temple had on the façade a porch with six columns between pilasters. The cella (main temple) was small measuring 18x12m and was roofed by a dome 2,50m in diameter. The porch had a separate roof lower than the main one, without dome. The cella walls were lined with marble and the floor was paved with large square slabs. The west wall of the temple was attached to the Lykourgean cross-wall, which, in its northwest corner, extended into the west foot of the hill. In the interior of the cella no evidence was found to confirm the existence of a cult statue.
The edifice, built 4,10m above the terrace, at the top of a monumental stairway that was constructed to facilitate access to it, constituted a particuarly impressive example of Roman imperial architecture.
The first temple to the deified Faustina stands in the Agora of Rome, next to the Sacred Way. It was set up by her husband and emperor, Antoninus Pius, in 140 AD.
5301