A modern reconstruction of a Roman portico at the J. Paul Getty Museum in California
A large portico encircles the open courtyard of the Saepta Julia. Martial testifies that the shady colonnades of the Saepta were frequented by strollers and loungers who came to look at the luxury goods sold there (Mart. 2.14.5, 57.2, 9.59.1, 10.80.4). The east and west porticoes of the Saepta took their name from their murals and were known as the Porticus Meleagri and the Porticus Argonautarum respectively. The Porticus Argonataurum had niches at regular intervals for the display of sculpture presumably of the heroes who took place in the expedition of the Argo.
Click here for a painting of a bazaar at the Portico of Octavia (painted by Antonio Gaspari from the early 18th century.)
Courtyard