Temple

==Greco-Roman temples==
{{Main|Greek temple|Roman temple}}
[[File:Parthenon (30276156187).jpg|thumb|The [[Parthenon]] on the [[Acropolis of Athens]]]]
Greek and Roman temples were originally built out of wood and mud bricks, but as the empires expanded, the temples grew to monumental size, made out of materials such as stone and marble on raised platforms. While the color has long since faded, The columns would have been painted in white, blue, red, and black. Above the columns would have been a sculpted or painted depiction of a myth or battle, with freestanding sculptures in the [[pediment]] triangles. The roofs were tiled and had sculptures of mythical animals or deities on the tops or corners. Greek temples also had several standard floor plans with very distinct column placement.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |author=Denova, Rebecca I. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1243160502 |title=Greek and Roman religions |year=2018 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-78785-765-0 |oclc=1243160502}}</ref>

Located in the front of the temple were altars intended for sacrifices or offerings. [[Olympic gods|Ouranic]] altars were usually square, lined with a metal pan for burnt offerings, and a flat top which was necessary for the ouranic gods to receive offerings. [[Chthonic]] altars, called [[bothros]], were pits dug into the earth for liquid libations of animal sacrifices, milk, honey, and wine. The building which housed the cult statue or ''[[Cult statue|agalma]]'' in its ''[[cella]]'' was located in the center of the temple in Greek architecture, while in Rome, the cella was in the back.<ref name=":0" /> Greek temple architecture had a profound influence on ancient architectural traditions.

Greco-Roman temples were built facing eastward, utilizing the rising sun in morning rituals. The location each temple was built also depended on many factors such as environment, myth, function, and divine experience. Most were built on sites associated with myths or a place a god had been believed to have performed a feat, or founded a town or city. Many Roman temples had close associations with important events in Roman history, such as military victories. Temples in cities were often dedicated to the founding deity of the city, but also served as civic and social centers. The [[Temple of Saturn]] even held the state treasury and treasury offices in its basement.<ref name=":0" />