Puteal Scribonianum
Encyclopedia
The Puteal Scribonianum or Puteal Libonis (Puteal of Libo
) was a structure in the Forum Romanum in Ancient Rome
. A puteal
was a classical wellhead
, round or sometimes square, placed atop a well opening to keep people from falling in.
The Scribonian Puteal was dedicated or restored by a member of the Libo family
, perhaps the praetor
of 204 BC, or the tribune of the people in 149 BC. The praetor's tribunal
was convened nearby, having been removed from the comitium
in the 2nd century BC. It thus became a place where litigants, money-lenders and business people congregated.
According to ancient sources, the Scribonian Puteal was a bidental
— that is, a spot which had been struck by lightning
. It took its name from its resemblance to the stone curb or low enclosure around a well (puteus) that was between the Temple of Castor and Pollux
and the Temple of Vesta
, near the Porticus Julia and the Arcus Fabiorum (arch of the Fabii). No remains of this puteal, however, have been discovered. It was once thought that an irregular circle of travertine
blocks found near the Temple of Castor formed part of the puteal, but this idea was abandoned in the early 20th century.
A coin issued in 62 BC by Lucius Scribonius Libo
(consul
34 BC) depicts this puteal, which he had renovated. It resembles a cippus (sepulchral monument) or an altar, with laurel wreath
s, two lyre
s and a pair of pincers or tongs
below the wreaths. The tongs may be those of Vulcan, emblematic of him as a forger of lightning.
Libo
Libo, in ancient Rome, is the name of a family belonging to the Scribonian gens. It is chiefly interesting for its connexion with the Puteal Scribonianum in the Forum at Rome....
) was a structure in the Forum Romanum in Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. A puteal
Puteal
A puteal was a classical wellhead, round or sometimes square, set round a well opening to keep people from falling in. Such well heads might be of marble, enriched with bas-reliefs...
was a classical wellhead
Wellhead
A wellhead is a general term used to describe the component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment....
, round or sometimes square, placed atop a well opening to keep people from falling in.
The Scribonian Puteal was dedicated or restored by a member of the Libo family
Lucius Scribonius Libo
Several men of plebeian status were named Lucius Scribonius Libo during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire; they were members of the gens Scribonia.-L. Scribonius Libo :...
, perhaps the praetor
Praetor
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, usually in the field, or the named commander before mustering the army; and an elected magistratus assigned varied duties...
of 204 BC, or the tribune of the people in 149 BC. The praetor's tribunal
Tribunal
A tribunal in the general sense is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title....
was convened nearby, having been removed from the comitium
Comitium
The Comitium in Rome is the location of the original founding of the city. The area is marked by a number of shrines, temples, altars and churches today from throughout its history. The location was lost due to the cities growth and development over a thousand years, but was excavated at the turn...
in the 2nd century BC. It thus became a place where litigants, money-lenders and business people congregated.
According to ancient sources, the Scribonian Puteal was a bidental
Bidental
In ancient Roman religion, the bidentales were priests who performed rituals to mark out a place that had been struck by lightning as a sacred precinct . Their primary role was to sacrifice a two-year-old sheep, in Latin bidens, meaning "having teeth on each side." Such a place was thus called a...
— that is, a spot which had been struck by lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
. It took its name from its resemblance to the stone curb or low enclosure around a well (puteus) that was between the Temple of Castor and Pollux
Temple of Castor and Pollux
The Temple of Castor and Pollux is an ancient edifice in the Roman Forum, Rome, central Italy. It was originally built in gratitude for victory at the Battle of Lake Regillus . Castor and Pollux were the Dioscuri, the "twins" of Gemini, the twin sons of Zeus and Leda...
and the Temple of Vesta
Temple of Vesta
The Temple of Vesta is an ancient edifice in Rome, Italy, located in the Roman Forum near the Regia and the House of the Vestal Virgins. The temple's most recognizable feature is its circular footprint. Since the worship of Vesta began in private homes, the architecture seems to be a reminder of...
, near the Porticus Julia and the Arcus Fabiorum (arch of the Fabii). No remains of this puteal, however, have been discovered. It was once thought that an irregular circle of travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
blocks found near the Temple of Castor formed part of the puteal, but this idea was abandoned in the early 20th century.
A coin issued in 62 BC by Lucius Scribonius Libo
Lucius Scribonius Libo
Several men of plebeian status were named Lucius Scribonius Libo during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire; they were members of the gens Scribonia.-L. Scribonius Libo :...
(consul
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
34 BC) depicts this puteal, which he had renovated. It resembles a cippus (sepulchral monument) or an altar, with laurel wreath
Laurel wreath
A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...
s, two lyre
Lyre
The lyre is a stringed musical instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later. The word comes from the Greek "λύρα" and the earliest reference to the word is the Mycenaean Greek ru-ra-ta-e, meaning "lyrists", written in Linear B syllabic script...
s and a pair of pincers or tongs
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
below the wreaths. The tongs may be those of Vulcan, emblematic of him as a forger of lightning.
External links
- Denarius of L. Scribonius Libo (issued 62 BC), at Coin Archives