Porticus Argonautarum

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The Porticus Argonautarum (Latin for the "Portico of the Argonauts"; Italian : Portico degli Argonauti), also known as the Portico of Agrippa [1] (Latin : Porticus Agrippae or Agrippiana) was a portico in ancient Rome. [2]

The building was located in the Saepta Julia, [3] [4] a large square in the Campus Martius used for public comitia (assemblies). The square, a large free space surrounded by porticoes, was finished by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, [5] admiral and friend of emperor Augustus, in 27 BC. The portico of the Argonauts was added in 25 BC, to commemorate Agrippa's naval victories in 31 BC: it took its name from its decorations, which depicted the mythological expedition of Jason. [6]

Studies of the Forma Urbis (an ancient detailed plan of Rome) have located the portico in what is now Via della Minerva, near the basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. [7]

A brickwork wall preserved along the eastern side of the Pantheon has been assigned to the Porticus Argonautarum.

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References

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  7. A visual reconstruction of the Saepta Julia