You stand now on the steps of the rising podium (10 feet high) of the temple. You stand where a lightning bolt is said to have sanctified the ground; you stand where Augustus dedicated the temple to his protecting deity, Apollo. Vowed in 36 BCE after a victory over Sextus Pompeius, and renewed in 31 BCE after the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, it was dedicated on October 9, 28 BCE. It was the first temple erected to Apollo within the pomerium of Rome, and it is physically attached to the emperor's new home!
It has often been commented that the Temple of Portunus in the Forum Boarium at the western foot of the Palatine is much like that of Apollo Palatinus in general plan; the stairs you see depicted here are from the Temple of Portunus.
The temple here appears 50% longer than wide, but with strong frontality created by a deep hexastyle pronaos (porch). The Corinthian columns rise to height of about 45 feet. The temple frieze is carved with laurel leaves and lyres, symbols of Apollo. The roof is decorated with terracotta ornaments, most prominently the chariot of the Sun. It is likely that on certain days of the year the Sun itself will rise above the temple precisely where the terracotta chariot is set, bringing together nature and art in a dramatic union.
To follow Tristia Tresunus to his seventh stop, take the Temple Pronaos
exit; to retrace your steps toward his eighth stop, take the
Temple of Palatine Apollo exit.
Temple of Palatine Apollo