The Septizodium

The Septizodium, or Temple of the Seven Planetary Divinities, is a threestory stone building that sits at the extreme southeastern slope of the Palatine Hill, overlooking the Via Appia and across the street from the Circus Maximus. Six times wider than it is deep, the ramshackle building's long axis runs north-south, with an impressive façade covering the eastern side of the building. Three large, parallel alcoves grant access to the building with doorways set at the back of the alcoves. Two long balconies run the length of the eastern façade, lined by marble columns every few feet. Life-sized marble statues stand be-

tween some of the columns, representations of nymphs, naiads, and other water spirits. Many of these statues are missing a limb or head, or suffer from other wear. Inside the building, stairs lead upwards, granting access to the second and third

floors and their exposed balconies. Four exposed stairways lead from the ground floor, through the second and third floor balconies, and exit onto the flat roof.

The center alcove leads to the most impressive room. Marble half-columns line the room, the far wall of which supports a stone relief of the seven planets dominating the night sky. This room contains the sequestered cardinals. Wooden tables, chairs, and sleeping cots are supplied for the men. The southern alcove leads to a room of similar size and marble decoration, but without the stone relief. The northern alcove leads to a dilapidated room whose upper floors have collapsed. While the walls still stand, the ceiling is gone. The second and third floors contain two rooms each, now that the northern sections have fallen. All four of these rooms allow access to the columned balconies that line the eastern façade. However, the southern section is separated from the central section by a wall, so that the only way to cross between sections is through a doorway on the ground floor.

The Septizodium has a Faerie aura of 5. The main room on the ground floor is also a Faerie regio, usually accessible only on nights of the full moon. The regio has a Faerie aura of 7. The regio's entrance is between a pair of ivy-covered columns sculpted into the relief on the far wall. As they are part of the relief, people cannot physically walk between the pillars — they would walk straight into the stone wall — and the regio is only open at specific times. The divinities can enter and leave the regio at will, bringing those they wish to accompany them, and Hermetic magic can force a way through