Libertas
the personification of Liberty, was worshipped at Rome as a divinity.
A temple was erected to her on the Aventine by Tib. Sempronius Gracchus, the expenses of which were defrayed by fines which had been exacted. Another was built by Clodius on the spot where Cicero's house had stood (
Liv. 24.16; Paul. Diac. p. 121;
D. C. 38.17,
39.11), which Cicero afterwards contemptuously called Templum Licentiae (
pro Dom. 51,
de Leg. 2.17). After Caesar's victories in Spain, the senate decreed the erection of a temple to Libertas at the public expense (
D. C. 43.44); and after the murder of Sejanus, a statue of her was set up in the forum. (
D. C. 58.12.) From these temples we must distinguish the Atrium Libertatis, which was in the north of the forum, towards the Quirinal, probably on the elevated ground extending from the Quirinal to the Capitoline. (
Cic. Att. 4.16;
Liv. 43.16.)
This building, which had been restored as early as B. C. 195 (
Liv. 34.44), and was newly built by Asinius Pollio (
Suet. Aug. 29), served as an office of the censors (Liv.
l.c. 43.16, 45.15), and sometimes also criminal trials were held (Cic.
p. Mil. 22), and hostages were kept in it. (
Liv. 25.7.)
It also contained tables with laws inscribed upon them, and seems, to some extent, to have been used as public archives. (Liv. xliii. ]6; Fest. p. 241, ed. Millerr) After its rebuilding by Asinius Pollio, it became the repository of the first public library at Rome. Libertas is usually represented as a matron, with the pileus, the symbol of liberty, or a wreath of laurel. Sometimes she appears holding the Phrygian cap in her hand. (
D. C. 47.25,
63.29;
Suet. Nero 57; Hirt.
Mythol. Bilderb. p. 115, tab. 13, 14.)
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