<p>A small, circular shrine in the *Forum dedicated to Cloacina, the divinity of the *Cloaca Maxima, later identified with Venus (cf. Pliny, <i>NH</i> 15.119). It is first mentioned near the beginning of the 2nd c. B.C. by Plautus (<i>Curc</i>. 471: <i>apud Cloacinae sacrum</i>). The shrine, depicted on coins of <i>c</i>. 42 B.C. (<i>RRC</i> 494/42b), was located in front of the Republican <i>tabernae novae</i> (Livy 3.48.5), probably at the spot where the Cloaca entered the Forum (Coarelli), and can be securely identified with the circular marble base (<i>LTUR</i> I, fig. 168) discovered in front of the *Porticus Gai et Luci (cf. <i>LTUR</i> I, fig. 102).</p>