---
title: Roman Temple at Milreu, Portugal
author: Prolet Decheva
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19816/roman-temple-at-milreu-portugal/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-12-19
---

# Roman Temple at Milreu, Portugal

_Authored by [Prolet Decheva](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/pdecheva/)_

## Image File

[![Roman Temple at Milreu, Portugal](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19816.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19816.jpg)

## Image Caption

Ruins of a water [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) next to a villa, situated within the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) ruins of Milreu, near Estói, southern Portugal. 4th century CE.

The square *cella* of the temple ends in an apse to the south. The *podium* is decorated with a [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) depicting various fish, dolphins, and seashells, surrounding the whole structure. Such a colorful mosaic frieze around a temple *podium* seems to be unique in the Roman world. Originally, the *cella* was surrounded by columns. The interior was decorated with marble slabs and mosaics. The building was later used for the Christian cult and a baptistery was added next to it, perhaps in the 6th century.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

PhD in Art History with a focus on late antique art and culture.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Decheva, P. (2024, December 19). Roman Temple at Milreu, Portugal. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19816/roman-temple-at-milreu-portugal/>
### Chicago
Decheva, Prolet. "Roman Temple at Milreu, Portugal." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 19, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19816/roman-temple-at-milreu-portugal/>.
### MLA
Decheva, Prolet. "Roman Temple at Milreu, Portugal." *World History Encyclopedia*, 19 Dec 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19816/roman-temple-at-milreu-portugal/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Prolet Decheva](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/pdecheva/ "User Page: Prolet Decheva"), published on 19 December 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.