Le due insulae presso la scalinta di S. Maria in Aracoeli. Analisi archeologica e ricostruzione architettonica

Based on the analysis and observation of the structures located at the northern slope of the Capitoline Hill, this article proposes a division in phases of the structures and a new reconstructive hypothesis of the buildings. Life stages can be summarized as follows: Phase 1 (middle late Republican age): construction of a substructure wall of the hill; Phase 2 (Trajan age): construction of two insulae separated by a courtyard, the eastern one rising up to three floors; Phase 3 (Hadrian age): construction of the porch and of the fourth floor of the east insula; Phase 4 (Severan age): construction of a rampant arc in the courtyard; Phase 5 (late IV ‑ early fifth century AD): resurfacing of the court-yard; Phase 6 (second quarter of the V‑end of the X century AD): modifications to the rooms of the eastern insula; Phase 7 (XI‑XVII century AD): construction of the church of San Biagio de’ Mercatello and its rebuilding as SS. Spina della Corona di N.S. Gesù Cristo.