MARKET, NERO, (Macellum Magnum)

Orichalcum dupondius, RIC 400, S 1963 variety, VF, 13.65g, 28.9mm, 180o, Lugdunum mint, 64 A.D.; obverse NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P, laureate head left; reverse MAC AVG S C, front view of the Macellum Magnum (great market), two-story domed section with porticoes approached by steps with a dolphin on each side and containing statue of Neptune holding a long scepter on pedestal, wings of two stories of unequal height.

The Macellum Magnum was a shopping mall located on the Caelian Hill in Rome, dedicated by Nero in 59 A.D. It had flanking wings of slightly different construction and a central dome possibly 120 feet (36 meters) in diameter. Records indicate it was still open in the 4th century. Part of it may be incorporated into the church of S. Stefano Rotundo which stands today. It was the model for many medieval government buildings in Europe, all U.S. state capitols and the U.S. national capitol building.