S t o w e  G a r d e n s

 T e m p l e   o f   A n c i e n t   V i r t u e

 

William Kent built this Ionic Rotunda in 1734. It is based on the Temple of the Sibyl (Vesta), at Tivoli near Rome. It stands high upon a grassy mound in the centre of the Elysian Fields, surrounded by dark foliage. It is a classic peripteral, (with a colonnade running all around the exterior), Ionic Temple, very similar in design to the Temple of Apollo, built by Flitcroft at Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire.

The Temple of Ancient Virtue, is in direct contrast to a long demolished Temple built slightly to the North, the Temple of Modern Virtue. It was a built as a satirical ruin and contained a headless statue of the Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole, who Lord Cobham had fallen out with.

The Cella of the Temple of Ancient Virtue, contains a patterned ceiling and four life sized statues each set within a niche. They are all of famous Greeks, being Homer, the greatest poet, Socrates the Philosopher, Lycurgus the law-giver, and the general of the Ancient World, Epaminondas.

Above each of the statues is an inscription, their translations (taken from Seeley's guidebook to Stowe), appear below. You may click on the image of the statue to be redirected to Wikipedia's on-line encyclopedia page, about the persons history and life.

Epaminondas Cujus a virtute, prudentia verecundia, Thebanorum respublica l ibertatem simul & imperium, d isciplinam bellicam, civilem & domesticam accepit eoque amisso, perdidit. From whose valour, prudence, and moderation, the Republic of Thebes received both liberty and empire; its military, civil, and domestic discipline; and, with him, lost them.

Homerus Qui poetarum princeps, idem & maximus, virtutis praeco, & immortalitatis largitor divino carmine, ad pulcre audendum, & patiendum fortiter, omnibus notus gentibus, omnes incitat. Who being the first of poets, as he was the greatest, the herald of virtue, and the bestower of immortality, known to all nations, incites all, in a divine poem, honourably to dare, and resolutely to suffer.

Lycurgus Qui summo cum consilio inventis legibus, omnemque contra corruptelam munitis optime, pater patriae, libertatem firmissimam, et mores sanctissimos, expulsa cum divitiis avaritia, luxuria, libidine, in multa secula civibus suis instituit. Who having invented laws with the greatest wisdom, and most excellently fenced them against all corruption, as a father of his country, instituted for his countrymen the firmest liberty and the soundest morality, which endured for many ages, he having, together with riches, banished avarice, luxury, and lust.

Socrates Qui corruptissima in civitate innocens, bonorum hortator, unici cultor dei, ab inutili otio, & vanis disputationibus, ad officia vitae, & societatis commoda, philosophiam avocavit, hominum sapientissimus. Who being innocent in a most corrupt state, an encourager of the good, a worshiper of one only God, as the wisest of men reduced philosophy from useless indolence and vain disputations, to the duties of life, and the advantages of society.

Over the doors to the Temple are two addtional inscriptions, their translations, (also taken from Seeley's guidebook to Stowe) appear below: Charum esse civem, bene de republica mereri, laudari, coli, diligi, gloriosum est: metui vero, & in odio esse, invidiosum, detestabile, imbecillum, caducum. To be dear to our country, to deserve well of the state, to be praised, honoured, and beloved, is glorious; but to be dreaded and hated, is matter of ill will, detestable, weak, and ruinous. Justitiam cole & pietatem, quae cum sit magna in parentibus & propinquis, tum in patria maxima est. Ea vita via est in coelum, & in hunc coetum eorum, qui jam vixerunt. Maintain justice, and thy relative duty, which, as it is great, when exercised toward our parents and kindred, so is greater toward our country. That life is the way to heaven, and to this assembly of those who have already lived.

William Kent built the Temple of Ancient Virtue in a prominent position, overlooking the River Styx and the Temple of British Worthies. It also was the termination point of Bridgeman's great cross walk, later to be eradicated by Lord Temple.

Below: The view from the eastern door over the Elysian Fields.

Below: The rear of the Temple allows for a good photo opportunity.

Below: Looking East from the Western bank of the Elysian Fields to Hawkwell Field and the Gothic Temple.

The Grenville Column is but a short walk through the Elysian Fields from the Temple of Ancient Virtue.

 

 

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