Barzan. II, Le sanctuaire au temple circulaire ("Moulin-du-Fâ") : tradition celtique et influences gréco-romaines

The temple « Moulin-du-Fâ » has been spotted on the maps since the early 18th century and is being excavated since the early 20th century. Thanks to aerial photographs of J. Dassié in 1975, the temple is known to be located next to a large city. But the excavations of P. Aupert, followed by K. Robin's, have unveiled two surprises: the occupation of the site dates back to the 5th century BCE at least, making it one of the oldest of the region, and the sanctuary has kept its Celtic layout - with its large courtyard surrounded by a moat and wooden buildings - much longer under the Roman Empire than the other sacred places of the pre-caesarean conquest era. In fact, it was under Hadrian, during the 130s, that the site was filled in and the imposing temple with a cella and a circular peristyle was built. The temple was most probably dedicated to Mars, considered more like the protector of the community than like the roman god of war. This religious conservatism has left traces in the rites with the continued holding of banquets. These traces are even more significant in the architecture. A few clues - the pits opened into the floor of the cella and the cella raising above the peripheral colonnade - have led to a detailed reconstruction. On the other hand, Greek and Roman architectures have inspired everything else: this is a Greek Tholos, with Corinthian columns, installed on a Roman podium, and a monumental porch, comparable to the Pantheon of Rome. A careful research has also shown that the designer was highly educated and that he was familiar with Greek mathematics and daring creations of Roman architects. The santon temple of Barzan - which is higher than its closest parallel, the Tower of Vésone - probably illustrates the rivalry of the regional capital, Saintes with Périgueux of the Pétrucores and even with Bordeaux. It also mainly reflects the ambition of a rich notable of Saintes, willing to shine and trying to justify and strengthen its position in the high political spheres of the Empire.