Expert: Maria - 9/26/2010

Question
Dear Maria,

Can you please explain the difference between “Sanctuary” and “Temple”.   

I have been reading about the “Sanctuary of Venus” at Pompeii and other “Forms” of “Sanctuary” at Pompeii such as the “Sanctuary of Mephitis” and the “Sanctuary of Apollo”.

I am very confused as to why these are not just called “Temples”.

I have tried to research this on-line, but I have not been able to find what the difference is between these terms.   I would really appreciate your help.

Thank you.   

Sincerely,

Rich  

Answer
Dear Rich,

the “Sanctuary” (from Latin “sanctuarium”, from the adjective “ sanctus” meaning “sacred”) in the proper sense of the word is the inner sanctum of the temple, i.e. the holiest part of the sacred precinct of a temple, whereas the “temple” (from Latin “templum”) is just a  building dedicated to religious ceremonies or worship.

Therefore the Sanctuary of Venus at Pompeii as well as  the Sanctuary of Mephitis (from the Latin noun “mephitis” meaning “pestilential exhalation from the ground”), the Roman goddess who was just invoked for help against  the poisonous gases emitted from the ground in swamps and volcanic vapors, can indicate either the inner sanctum of a temple or in general  a small temple.

It can happen, however, that  the term “sanctuary”  meaning properly “a  place for keeping sacred things, a shrine“ is used  to say  “temple”, generally speaking.

Hope this can be helpful to you.
Best regards,
Maria