In the history of architecture, eclecticism is clearly associated with 19th- century
architecture. This paper focuses on the fact that eclecticism is a way of thinking,
a design concept in which the architect combines high-quality architectural elements
from different periods to achieve the desired effect on his building. This approach
is often necessary to meet client demand. This philosophy was also used to serve the
imperial intention, as a study of the temple architecture of the Augustan period states.
The aim of this paper is to look at eclecticism not primarily as a style but as a
design method that has been present throughout history. My hypothesis was, that that
eclecticism was viewed in its entirety significantly more in the age of Augustus than
in the 19th century. To underline my findings, I examine a list of significant buildings,
such as the temple of Iuppiter Capitolinus and the temple of Venus Genetrix were influenced
by early architectural origins, such as the typology of Vitruvius, the characteristics
of the Etruscan or Tuscan temple- and examine such. Further, I have a detailed look
at the general features and particular characteristics of the temple architecture
in the Augustan period, I conclude with and the temple renovations- the Temple of
Concordia, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Apollo Sosianus- and the
newly erected sacral buildings- the Temple of Divus Iulius, the Temple of Mars Ultor,
the Monumentum Ancyranum. This paper demonstrates that the eclectic approach of the
early imperial period was so complex that it focused not only on the external appearance
but also on the internal design and furnishings.
