Forum Boarium, Rome

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Located in the Forum Boarium, the Arch of Janus was built in the 4th century AD. It is thought to have been originally dedicated to Constantine. In medieval times and until the 19th century, a Roman family used the arch as a fortress, which helped to preserve the structure. Originally, the arch was crowned with a pyramidal structure, which was torn down around 1830, as it was thought - perhaps mistakenly - not to belong to the original Roman structure.

located in the aventine a couple of blocks north of the circus maximus is the forum boarium. in this small forum is the temple of hercules. this temple dates back to 2nd century BC. the temple of hercules is one of the oldest temples in rome.

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What remain of this forum are two of the most preserved (or reconstructed temples in Rome. The Tempio di Portunus is the traditional rectangular temple and the tempio di Ercole Vincitore is round. Across the street is the Arch of Janus.

Probably dating from the reign of Constantine, this imposing four-faced marble arch stood at the crossroads on the edge of the Forum Boarium, near the ancient docks. It was an ideal place for merchants and customers to do business in the shade.

This miraculously well-preserved Republican temple dates from the 2nd century BC and was dedicated to Portunus, the god of rivers and ports. Set on a podium, it has four ionic travertine (marble wasn’t used in those times) columns fluted at the front and 12 half-columns, embedded in the tufa wall of the cella.

The Foro Boario contains two temples that have survived (more or less) from classical times: the Temple of Portunus and the so-called Temple of Vesta.

The Temple of Portunus (tempio di portuno) is a rectangular temple that was converted to a Christian church - hence its survival. It's possible to get up close to this temple, but not inside.

The so-called Temple of Vesta (tempio di vesta) was given this name because it is a circular building, like the orginal Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum. When we last saw this building (in 2000), it was closed and restorers were working in the inside.

This is a great space to visit; the Mouth of Truth (Bocca di Verita') is nearby, as is the Circus Maximus and the Ponte Rotto.

The Arcus Argentariorum is behind the Arch of Janus, against and partly incorporated into the church of San Giorgio al Velabro. It was probably a monumental gate of the Forum Boarium. The inscription indicates that in 204 the local money-changers (argentarii) and merchants, honoured emperor Septimius Severus and his family with this arch. It is almost 7 metres tall.
A popular motto "Tra la vacca e il toro, troverai un gran tesoro" (Between the cow and the bull, you'll find a great treasure)made treasure seakers open the arch in search for gold or other riches. So far no treasure is found..... maybe it is still in there??

This robust arch, the only four fronted arch in Rome, is thought to be dating back to the times of Constantine (4th century ). It was at a busy intersection at the corner of the Forum Boarium. Near the harbour it was a great place for merchants to work in the shade of the arch.

The name "Janus" (from the Latin Ianus) means "covered passage with four fronts".
In the Middle Ages The arch was transformed into a fortress by the Frangipane family. In 1827 it was restored to its original form.

An interesting story:
It is said that in 1601, an abyss suddenly opened up underneath the Arch of Janus, causing the disappearance of a woman, swallowed by the earth as she was walking with her daughter.

Obviously for this reason the Romans did not willingly pass beneath the arch. Today you can't pass under it there are metal fences around the entire arch.