The space between the Basilica of Maxentius and the Valley of the Colosseum is taken up with the remains of the great temple of the two goddesses Venus and Roma. This was built according to the wishes of the Emperor Hadrian on the entrance hall of the Domus Aurea, Nero's Golden House.

The whole project was conceived by the Emperor on the model of Greek temples and it emphasizes how greatly he was inspired by the Greeks in creating his own image as sovereign ruler. The temple was constructed with a separate "cella" for each goddess. The "cella" on the Colosseum side, which is still visible today, housed the statue of Roma the goddess, while the statue of Venus was in the other "cella" which looked towards the Roman Forum.
The revival of the worship of Venus, the mother of Aeneas and of the Julian family, and the inauguration of the cult of the goddess Roma Eterna were fundamental aspects of Hadrian's political and religious policies. Hadrian's power was founded on the worship of Rome and of the Emperor himself.