Roman City Augustodunum-Janustemple

In the 1st century, during the early phase of the Roman city foundation of Augustodunum, the tower now known as the Temple of Janus was erected. It originally served as a temple dedicated to a deity whose identity is unknown today. There is speculation that it may have been a Temple of Mars, an assumption supported by the Roman practice of often building temples for this god outside the city walls. In 269, the temple was likely destroyed during the siege of the city by Victorinus and never rebuilt thereafter. The ruin received its current name only in the 16th century; previously, it was known as the “Temple in the Broom Field.” The structure was used as living quarters and a quarry, but by the 17th century, it largely presented itself in its current state.