CAPITOL, in antiquity, a castle on the Mons Capitolinus at Rome, where there was a temple dedicated to Jupiter, in which the senate anciently assembled. The capitol consisted of three parts; a nave, sacred to Jupiter; and two wings, the one consecrated to Juno, and the other to Minerva: It was ascended to by stairs; the frontispiece and sides were surrounded with galleries, in which those who were honoured with triumphs entertained the senate at a magnificent banquet, after the sacrifices had been offered to the gods.
Both the inside and outside were enriched with infinite ornaments, the most distinguished of which was the statue of Jupiter, with his golden thunder-bolt, his sceptre, and crown. In the capitol also were a temple to Jupiter the guardian, and another to Juno, with the mint; and on the descent of the hill was the temple of Concord.
This beautiful edifice contained the most sacred deposits of religion, such as the ancylia, the books of the sybils, &c.