ANCIENT BRITISH PEARLS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1933, Page 5

ANCIENT BRITISH PEARLS

FINDS IN ROMAN TEMPLE.

ROME, January 2G

The excavation of the Temple of Venus Genetrix in Rome has begun, and the earth has already been removed to a depth of several feet. This work is primarily of architectural importance. It is perhaps unlikely to lead to new discoveries, since practically nothing is believed to remain besides the foundations of the temple itself, which began to fall into ruin as early as the fifth century a.d., and was subsequently built, over. Senator Ricci, who is in charge of the excavation, tells me, however, that the possibility of surprises is by

no means to be excluded. Among the possible finds are pearls from ancient Britain.

Venus Genetrix was “adopted” by Julius Caesar as the ancestress of his family, and when he built his Forum in order to increase the amenities of the fast-growing capital, his first thought was to raise in it a temple to the goddess who inspired and protected his endeavour. This was in the year 48 n.c., when money derived from tribute was plentiful in Rome and slave labour abounded. The temple was magnificent, as befitted the times, and its greatest treasure was a statue of Venus Genetrix, probably [of marble. It has never been found, though it is known from contemporary coins.

Amongst other details which have been recorded is the fact that Venus

was represented with a breast plate of pearls brought from Britain, of which Caesar was especially fond. She carried perched on her left shoulder a little Cupid,

i! Besides containing the statue of- { the guardian goddess, the temple was ffilled with other treasures, amongst I which lhe ancient writers mention six exquisitely wrought coffers containing rings and gems, and two famous pictures by Tinwmachus, which were widely known and were kept in Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Subsequently, as is known from an inscription found at Ostia a few months ago, the temple, constructed of the damp and friable local stone known as tufa, was rebuilt in marble by the Emperor Trajan in the year a.d. 112,