La Maison Carrée (the square house) is a Roman temple built in Nîmes, France in 19 B.C.E. The Roman shrine was built by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Caesar Augustus. Agrippa who was the “right hand man” and son-in-law to Augustus and the patron of the Pantheon in Rome (Hayes, 1). La Maison Carrée was built in hopes to impress the citizens of Nîmes, keeping with the Roman style architecture to honor the new emperor Augustus. The temple was built in dedication to Augustus’s two adopted sons to promote the new imperial control. The building has a bronze inscription that reads “To Gaus Caesar, son of Augutus, consul: to Lucius Caesar, son of Augustus, Consul designate; to the princes of youth” (Hayes, 1). The temple stands on a 12 ft high podium like a Greek shrine with a stairway that leads up to a colonnaded portico (porch) and then to a single entrance. The Corinthian Order, or the laws of symmetry and proportions, is used in the portico and ornate columns that cover the exterior walls. The building door leads to a large, single room which houses a collection of Roman sculptures (once filled with sculptures of Augustus, his family and the Gods) and other classical fragments (Britannica, 1). The building  is 82 ft long by 40 ft wide. La Maison Carrée served as a spiritual center for the Romans and is an example of classical refinement (Fiero, 6.13). The temple is one of the best preserved  in the world. “It Is one of the most beautiful monuments built in Gaul by the Romans” (Norton, 913). Since it was built the temple has been a town hall, stable, apartment, church, and today serves as a museum.

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After the assassination of Julius Caesar and the struggle for  power between Marc Anthony and Octavian (later known as Augustus) ensued, the power fell into the hands of Octavian. The senate renamed Octavian, Augustus (“the Revered one”) and he held joint power with the senate, but had the power to veto (Fiero, 6.3).  Augustus’s rein began an era of stability and peace, a time called the “Pax Romana”, during this time literature and art flourished. Augustus was a large supporter of the arts, and commissioned many  projects involving art, literature and architecture. Augustus stated that when he came to power he would make a city of brick into a city of marble (Fiero, B1.12). The Maison Carrée was one of the projects commissioned by Augustus. The shrine was dedicate to his sons, and was used as a symbol of his new power and the new era of peace he brought with him.

La Maison Carrée is typical for its time, because it was built in a classical Roman/Greek style encompassing the rules of the Corinthian Order. Other architecture built under the reign of Augustus were similar in design. La Maison Carrée  was inspired by the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae Arcadia and the Temple of Mars Ultor in Rome, all of which were built according to the Corinthian Order. The Corinthian order was a “set of structural and decorative parts that stand in fixed relation to each other” (Fiero, 5.18). During this time period, the design of a building depended on the function of the building. The Maison Carrée differed from buildings like the Parthenon in Rome, because of its ornate details, where the ladder is built according to the Doric order whose design is “simple and severe” (Fiero, 5.20). Even though the Parthenon differs in its architectural detail, both it and the Maison Carrée hold similarities as to why they were built.  The Maison Carrée was built to honor the Gods and the new emperor Augustus. Most architecture around 19 B.C.E. was built for the same reasons, for example: the Pantheon was built to honor the “7 Planetary dieties” (Fiero B1.155) and the Parthenon was built to honor Athena. The Maison Carrée shares similarities with the Pantheon, built in the early second century B.C.E., because it was also built according to the Corinthian Order, covered with marble and bronze (La Maison Carrée is made of limestone, but appears to be marble), and has a large portico at the entrance. After the Roman rise to power, many buildings displayed the beauty and symmetry of Roman architecture, but only a few of them still stand today.

La Maison Carrée is unusual for its time, because it is a Roman temple in the middle of France. The Roman’s brought over a new style of architecture along with their power of the Nîmes area, and it seemed to stand out against the other buildings. Although Nîmes was a provincial city, it was a priority to build a temple there just as nice as any in Rome. Augustus wanted the temple built by the best architect available (Hanser, 147). The style of the building is specifically Roman and the fineness of the construction shows the architect was familiar with the architectual style fashionable in the capital of Rome. The scrolls on the molding of the building are almost identical to the Altar of Peace in Rome which was also dedicated to Augustus. The Romans combined the style of the Etruscans (Italian society that ruled Rome for about a century) using the rectangular form on a podium with columns, a portico and stairs. The architecture also has Greek details; Corinthian order and the organization of the columns, moldings and proportion of the building. Although the Maison Carrée resembles a Greek temple, its architecture is not exactly the same. Most Greek temples have freestanding columns all around the building, making the front and back identical. However, the Maison Carrée has a distinct front and back, and a set of stairs only to the front entrance, where usual Greek temples have stairs all around the building. Romans admired the architecture of Greeks and portrayed it in temples like The Maison Carrée, but were more concerned with ornate details and magnificent architecture to portray Roman power. "There was nothing provincial about The Maison Carrée when it was built" (Hanser 146). Even though The Maison Carrée waws a peculiar architectural style in France, In Rome this style was very popular.

The temple was built to impress the citizens of Nîmes, but at the same time it was used to enforce the rules of the new regime in power. It was used to show public authority, and became the economic heart of Nîmes. The temple is completely  in- tact and is so well preserved, which proves that it was somewhat well received. It still stands tall today, looking almost brand new. Citizens of France still cherish it today. Augustus was a hard, but fair leader. He wanted little to do with personal luxuries, and simply built these monuments, like The Maison Carrée to show his power, but they were not built for him specifically. The new regime that built The Maison Carrée was not a fearsome one, Augustus brought with him a period of peace and organization. The Roman Empire held values of easy communication and trade that flourished (Britannica, 1).  Augustus was a cultured man, he had every right to lead, and he lead well. Taking over Nîmes was not easy, and the citizens understood this, therefore the architecture he set up was untouched. The architecture was accepted and was frequently used by the citizens of France. Many people were not allowed in the temple, due to the belief in Rome that only priests and their people were allowed inside the Cella (the home of God). Many ceremonies and sacrifices were held outside the temple in front of the stairs of the. The temple survived the fall of the Western Roman Empire, after many others were burned down or destroyed, and has been used by many architects as a model of Roman techniques (Hanser, 147-148).

Today, The  Maison Carrée is frequently visited and is used as a museum and tourist attraction in France.  It now lies next to a modern art museum, and library, The Carre D’Art. The government of France took a long time in picking an architect to build the new museum, because of the difficult task of finding a design worthy of standing next to The Maison Carrée. In 1984, twelve architects went to France to consider the architecture and history of the site, and design a building that would not compete with the original beauty of The Maison Carrée. The government had a budget of 24 million pounds to revamp the square that The Maison Carrée, lies in. The British architect Norman Foster recently renovated the square to a modern cultural district. They  updated the area, while still respecting the background and history of the architecture already there. (Hanser, 149). The French contracts and building regulations made it difficult, but today the square is finished and remains a hot-spot for tourists and residents of Nîmes. There are many hotels around the area of the temple, such as the Jardin Secrets or the Hotel Majestic for tourists to stay close to the square of La Maison Carrée Since the temple is the best preserved of its kind, it will forever be a main attraction in Nîmes, to visit it almost takes a person back in time. In its day, the Maison Carrée was built to display the power of a new regime, but today it is a symbol of the colorful history of France. To revel in the buildings beauty, and imagine the hard work and immense effort it took to build the massive structure.

La Maison Carrée represents the beautiful history of France, the structure represents the classical beauty of Roman architecture, and the fact that it is so well preserved is astounding. Although it has been reconstructed a few times, its original beauty shines. It is obvious it is important to the French government, and the people that live in Nîmes today. The square has been renovated and now holds a modern art museum and library and makes the area even more inviting to visit. I like the fact that the square makes modern style work with the old, classical architecture of The Maison Carrée. When looking at a picture of the temple, it seems as if it were picked up in Rome and placed in the middle of the square it sits in. It seems a little out of place beside the buildings around it, which makes it unique. The architecture is simple, but stunning. I love the columns and the way they wrap all the way around the building. I think it is rather interesting how many different identities the building has had. It started out as a temple or church, then a town hall, stable, etc and is now a museum. I would love to visit and see with my own eyes the beauty and integrity of the building. It would be amazing to walk up the steep set of stairs and think of how many came before me. When I visit France someday soon, I will for definitely make a stop at La Maison Carrée and give praise to those that designed and built the beautiful temple.

Thomas Jefferson first saw The Maison Carrée during his long stay as ambassador to France and instantly fell in love. He stated that it was "the most perfect and precious remains of antiquity" (Whiffen 1996, 103, Hanser 148). After returning to the states he was approached by his directors about an idea for a design for the new state capitol, shortly after he contacted the French architect C.L. Clérisseau. Jefferson asked Clérisseau to send him measured drawings of The Maison Carrée so he could use it as a model for the Virginia capitol. Final drawings of the design were sent to Richmond in 1786. Jefferson decided to change the Corinthian Order (characterized by the detailed acanthus leaves) of the original temple to the more simple Ionic order, because he did not feel there were many craftsman in the United States trained well enough to translate the ornate details. Construction of the Virginia capitol was completed in 1788. Like The Maison Carrée, there are pilasters (flat strips, like half columns) around the exterior of the building and a large porch encompassed by columns on the front of the structure.

Both of the buildings were built in appreciation for someone in charge. Although Augustus was an emperor, he was much a like a president. The capitol in America is built for a ruler (the president) in honor of his power. The Maison Carrée was used more for a secular device, but like the capitol was visited by many important people. The capitol, can be visited by tourists and people not in power, but is used more by the people in power. The Maison Carrée is the center of the square it resides in, there are many buildings around it, but it is the main attraction. The Virginia capitol building modeled after the temple is also the main building in its area. The capitol houses many statues inside of George Washington and other presidents born in Virginia, like The Maison Carrée, who houses statues of Augustus, his family, the Gods, and other important figures. Both of these pieces of architecture represent an appreciation for other cultures. Thomas Jefferson went to France and awed at The Maison Carrée and its classical beauty and decided to model his capitol in America after it (there is even a statue inside of the French- volunteer who fought for The United States during the American Revolution (Viriginia, 1)). He embraced the French and was interested in their vast culture. Augustus borrowed the architectural ideas for The Maison Carrée from the Romans, the Greeks and the Etruscans. Each of these buildings are an example of the collaboration of culture, art and architecture. Unlike The Maison Carrée, the Virigina capitol has always been used as the capitol. The buildings have been restored, changed and added on to, but has never changed its identity. The Maison Carrée however has has many different identities: a church, a private house, stable, town hall and museum. Both buildings, although similar in design are very different (one was built by Americas, attempting to copy the Roman design, the other built by the originals- the Romans) The Maison Carrée has a much longer history than the Virginia capitol, but both are very meaningful to the citizens who live around them and display a history to the county they were built in.

For future generations, it is important to understand the significance of La Maison Carrée. It is not only a beautiful piece of architecture, it is a representation of the struggle for power during its time. It represents the hard work men put into building the structure. It is historical evidence of the Roman Empire, and represents the power Augustus had during his reign in France and other European regions. Due to the fact that is the best preserved temple from its time period, future generations can visit it and view the original beauty and artistic intelligence it took to build it. It is important for future generations to realize the building was made by real men with their bare hands. Blood, sweat and tears went into building The Maison Carrée, unlike many buildings today. Architecture today lacks structural beauty, and many people do not think of proportions and symmetry the way these men used to. The Maison Carrée is a prime example of the Corinthian Order, and would be important for anyone to visit in order to understand the rules of the order. The Maison Carrée is not just a beautiful building, it is a representation of the people that lived in Nîmes, worked there and ruled there. It is an example of the Roman reign and the colorful history of France.

Works Cited

Chavalas, Mark W. "Agrippa Marcus Vispanius."  The Ancient World. Vol 2. Print

Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.

Hanser, David A. "Reference Guide to National Architecture: Architecture of France." Greenwood Press,

2006. Print

Hayes, Holly. "Maison Carrée,  Nîmes." Sacred Destinations. 2005-2011.

&lt;http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/nimes-maison-carree&gt;  Web. 12 Feb 2011.

Norton, Peter B. "The Maison Carrée." Britannica Encylopedia. Vol 7.1995. Print.

Virginia Capitol Foundation. "About the Capitol." Commonwealth of Virginia, 2006-2010.

Web. &lt; http://www.virginiacapitol.gov/&gt; 13 Feb 2011.