This is one of the best preserved Roman temples north of the Alps. They have even figured out the inscription that was once on its front:
These were mounting points for large bronze letters that spelled out:
C CAESARI AUGUSTI FL COS L CAESARI AUGUSTI F COS DESIGNATO
PRINCIPUS JUVENTUTIS
This dates the temple, it was dedicated to the two adopted sons of Augustus. Lucius died in 2 AD just after being "designated" consul. The words have lasted 2009 years.
And counting.
But that is not even a record for Nimes. After the unsettled medieval period Nimes became a center for textile manufacture. In particular they made a very durable fabric for work clothing called serge de Nimes. Later made exceedingly popular by Levi Strauss the fabric type has been shortened to denim, still honoring Nemausius after some 2500 years.
For a fleeting moment I thought I had another "persistance of Nimes" phenomena. Right across the street from the Maison Carree is this:
Alas, the historical convergence was a little too good to be true. From the downfall of Cleopatra to mid level sportsware is too great a leap. The real story of Lacoste is here.
When we were there the Maison Carree had been converted into some kind of theater showing a 3D film of the history of Nimes. It seemed heavy on the gladitorial stuff we had just learned about, and members of our party were footsore. We passed.
1 comment:
Wow! You mean those Izod shirts from grade school days had a deeper significance than just who was wealthy enough to afford them and who wasn't??
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