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18 Amazing Ancient Greek & Roman Temples (PHOTOS)

First Posted: 11/16/10 01:42 PM ET   Updated: 05/25/11 07:10 PM ET

The ancient Greeks and Romans were the founders of Western civilization, and their legacy is visible not only in our political and cultural institutions, but in our architecture.

The most important and widespread type of building in ancient Greece and Rome was the temple, which was primarily a monument to a god or gods.

Here's our pick of some of the most amazing remaining temples from the time, most over 2,000 years old.

 
Have you visited a beautiful ancient Greek or Roman temple that's not on this list? Send us pictures!
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The Temple of Augustus and Livia, Vienne, France (Roman)
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The ancient Greeks and Romans were the founders of Western civilization, and their legacy is visible not only in our political and cultural institutions, but in our architecture. The most important a...
The ancient Greeks and Romans were the founders of Western civilization, and their legacy is visible not only in our political and cultural institutions, but in our architecture. The most important a...
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Faxus
60 Fans
04:30 PM on 11/18/2010
I think it is a crime to let these buildings decay into dust. I'd prefer to see them as their builders intended.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
KIVPossum
Moldova Marsupial
2742 Fans
01:07 PM on 11/17/2010
Have not been to all of the temples. Have been to all of the countries listed
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
middleoftheroad
93 Fans
12:04 PM on 11/17/2010
Reminds me of the great Shaq quote when asked a question after the Olympics-
Reporter asked whether "he had visited the Parthenon". "I can't really remember the names of the clubs that we went to," Shaq replied!!
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IndyGuy
Et tu, Brute?
279 Fans
06:08 PM on 11/16/2010
Someday I want to go to Italy and see some of these masterpieces. The Pantheon and the Coliseum would be my first two choices. Of course seeing these magnificent sites would have been awesome when they were in their glory.
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time2impeach
Send Justice CT packin'
635 Fans
05:28 PM on 11/16/2010
The Maison Carree (slide 7) is my fave, and the Norman Foster museum opposite (not shown in the photo) is the perfect Modern counterpoint.
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Mark Justycky
1 Fans
05:24 PM on 11/16/2010
Cool ancient buildings. I wish I had paid mre attention n the 7th grade. I had other things on my mind, though.
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imafrog
17 Fans
05:24 PM on 11/16/2010
Who knows what famous business is facing the Pantheon in Rome? Hint: It's not what you went to Rome for.
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funkdragon23
8 Fans
05:43 PM on 11/16/2010
That'd be a Mickey D's. They've got a cool outdoor patio right on the piazza, if memory serves.

The Pantheon is one of the most remarkable buildings I've ever visited. It's my understanding it's in such good shape because it's been in almost constant use since it was built ca. 2000 years ago.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
PeterMelzer
22 Fans
06:37 PM on 11/16/2010
The Curia Julia impressed me most in ancient Rome. From this humble edifice the size of a barn the Romans governed their whole empire. Talking about efficient government!

I picture of it is added to this story:
http://brainmindinst.blogspot.com/2010/09/teutoburg-forest-mind.html
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bkrider9
541 Fans
05:17 PM on 11/16/2010
Baalbek is not well represented by this photo. The Temple of Bacchus to the far left is mostly intact.
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Chauntecleer
Please don't correct me if I'm wrong
220 Fans
05:17 PM on 11/16/2010
From QI: They say of the Acropolis...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX5WavWy2t0
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TomJoad1965
629 Fans
04:57 PM on 11/16/2010
A little fact:
A lot of the time the columns remain, because squares and rectangles are more useful in building other structures.
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uglycanadian
45 Fans
04:38 PM on 11/16/2010
Interesting to see how many of these are not even IN Greece or Italy (at least anymore!). Goes to show the extent of the Empire.
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LMPE
I connect the most dissimilar things
1544 Fans
04:30 PM on 11/16/2010
Here's a description of the Parthenon from "Non Campus Mentis: World History According to College Students" (spelling theirs):

The Parthenonon was Peracles' greatest erection.
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weebils
I like jalapenos and hot sauce
4598 Fans
04:14 PM on 11/16/2010
So how much is Greece selling them for?
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white mende man
Ask me if I care about your prejudice
977 Fans
 
03:56 PM on 11/16/2010
I think they could have taken a look at the temples at baalbek, lebanon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baalbek

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&va=baalbek+temple+lebanon&fr=yfp-t-701&xargs=0&pstart=1&b=19&ni=18

http://www.sacredsites.com/middle_east/lebanon/baalbek.htm
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uglycanadian
45 Fans
04:39 PM on 11/16/2010
They did. Did you miss number 17?
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mdiff
5 Fans
03:52 PM on 11/16/2010
This is a Hindu temple, which 1000 years old, still in very good shape, operational, and visited everyday by many people.
There are so many such structures in India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple
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