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4. Temples served as treasuries and dwellings for the cult; sacrifices
occurred on outdoor altars with the temple as a backdrop.
5. This meant that Roman temple architecture was largely architecture
of the interior.

VI. It is interesting to know…

Archaeologists have shown that this traditional Roman house centered
around an open court or atrium was built around the year 200 A.D. Around
230 the building was modified to meet the needs of the local Christian
community. These changes included the elimination of a wall to form a

larger oblong space to accommodate the liturgical celebrations of the
community. The most significant change was the modification of a room
to become a room to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism. Changes in-

cluded the addition of a tub along one wall and the decoration of the walls
with murals echoing the symbolism of Baptism.

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