The Temple at Bath was built in a classical style and is unusual
in Britain as only one other truly classical temple – the temple of
Claudius at Colchester – is known. It dates to the later first
century AD.
The Bath Temple stood on a podium more than two metres above the
surrounding courtyard. It was approached by a flight of steps. As
one approached it there were four large, fluted Corinthian columns
supporting a frieze and decorated pediment above. Behind the
columns was a large door to the cella where the cult statue of the
goddess was kept. This room would have been dimly lit without
windows, with the only light coming through the doorway and from
the Temple fire burning before the cult statue.
In the later second century the Temple was modified by the
addition of small side chapels and the construction of an
ambulatory around it. This change moved away from the simple
classical style as first built and turned the Temple into something
more akin to other Romano – Celtic temples from Roman Britain.
These changes coincided with the enclosure of the sacred Spring
within a new building and may reflect a change in ritual practice
at the site.
The Temple remained a focal point for worship until late in the
fourth century AD. As Christianity gathered strength the old pagan
religion was marginalised and in 391 AD the Emperor Theodosius
ordered the closure of pagan temples throughout the Empire. The
Temple fell into a state of disrepair and eventually collapsed.
Some of the carved stones from the pediment were re-used as paving
slabs in the courtyard and their chance survival has helped us
build a picture of one of Roman Britain’s most remarkable religious
buildings.