In 204 BCE a sacred black stone was brought to Rome from Phrygia, representing the Magna Mater Great Mother) Cybele. Romans at the time were suffering from the attacks of Hannibal; they were counseled by the Sibylline books to bring in the goddess as a divine protector. The following year Hannibal left Italy.The stone was housed in this temple (finished in 191 BCE) which became the center of Cybele's worship in Rome, including ecstatic rites and eunuch priests. Roman citizens were barred from the priesthood until the reign of Claudius, who converted it to a State cult. In the open courtyard fronting the temple the games known as the Megalesia were held. Plays were presented as part of these celebrations and Plautus and Terence may well have presented some of their works here. Catullus wrote a poem about Cybele and Attis.
Area Sacra