Temple of Jupiter (VII.8.1) in Pompei

You're standing at the north end of the forum in Pompeii, in front of what's left of the Temple of Jupiter. Look at the tall stone platform ahead of you. It measures about 121 feet long, 56 feet wide and 10 feet high. From up there, the temple towered over the whole square, and that was exactly the point. Now look past the temple. On a clear day you'll often spot Mount Vesuvius behind it, the volcano that would later bury the entire town.