The monumental brickwork structure, located in the garden at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, was called "Trofei di Mario" until the Middle Ages because of its two marble trophies. Erroneously attributed to Caio Mario, the statues were under the arches until 1590 when they were transported to their present site on the balustrade of Campidoglio.
The building can be dated exactly back to 226 AD because its image was represented on a coin issued by the Emperor Alessandro Severo. Built by this same emperor, the structure is actually a monumental fountain in a castle for distributing water at the end of an aqueduct canal. Because of the height of its entrance, it can be only related to the Claudia water systems or the Anio Novus.
Occupying the highest part of the Esquiline hill, the building has a trapezoid shape because it is located where via Labicana and via Tiburtina meet. It has three levels, with various rooms and canalization systems.
On the third floor, there is a facade with a central niche flanked by two open arches. Originally, a basin received the falling water and then sent it to the lower levels where it was then distributed to the lower areas of the city.
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 | | | I Municipio
Rione XV - Esquilino
Regio V - Esquiliae
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Tel. 06/4873262 |  |
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