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Observations on the Temple of Mars Ultor, built by Augustus ; theRuins of which are seen near the Torre de Conti, at Rome.

Templa feres, et me viBore, vocaberis Ultor. Ovid. Fast. L.5.

A S studiously as the Aspect ps the Temple of Peace, was contrived inf\. Allusion to Peace and its Attributes, so is this of Mars appropriated toWar: a strong and stately Temple sliews itself forward; and, that it might notlose any of its Bulk, a vast Wall of near 100 Feet high is placed behind it; (be-cause, as Vitruvius notes, Things appear less in the open Air) and though it bea single Wall, erected chiefly to add Glory to the Fabrick, and to muster up atonce a terrible Front of Trophies and Statues, which stand here in double Ranks,yet an ingenious Use is made of it, to obscure two irregular Entrances, whichcome from a bending Street: and to accommodate itself as well to the Situation,as to give Firmness to the Wall but 5 Feet thick, it is built in various Flexures,(because a strait Wall is easier ruined by Tempests): these Flexures give Oppor-tunity to form two other Frontispieces, in which are seen Niches much greater

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