Inaurata architectura. Fonti letterarie ed evidenze archeologiche sull'uso dell'oro e delle dorature nell'architettura antica

Classical literary sources describe the use of gold and gilding in architectural projects of exceptional value. According to Pliny the Elder, as is well known, a “gilding [inauratio]” technique was used in the Capitoline Temple in the second century BCE. Suetonius, moreover, stated that the palace built by Nero between the Palatine and Esquiline Hills was “called golden [auream nominavit]” because parts of the house were “ all covered with gold [cuncta auro lita]” (Suet. Nero, 31, 2). Archaeological evidence corroborates Suetonius’ account of the use of gilding. More generally, however, the reliability of such literary descriptions of gilding and the use of gold cannot be taken for granted. Further questions about the use of gold and gilding in this period also warrant consideration. For example, which buildings were embellished with gold or gilding? What were the contexts in which gold and gilding were used and to what desired effect? Were there circumstances in which gold-colored materials could be used instead of gold itself? Were there certain color combinations that enhanced the desired characteristics of the gold? This paper will use these questions as a starting point for an in-depth discussion of gilding and the use of gold – both as a material and as a colour – in Roman architecture, as documented in literary sources and archaeological evidence.