Definition of capitol

The word "capitol" originally referred to a statue or temple dedicated to a deity, particularly the goddess Capitolina, who represented security and prosperity in ancient Roman religion. In classical Roman architecture, a capitolium, or capitol, was the structure that housed such a statue or temple. However, in the late Republican era, the term "Capitol" took on a new meaning. It was applied to the largest and most important temple in Rome—the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus—which was situated on a hill called Capitoline Hill. This temple, which was rebuilt and expanded many times over the centuries, became a symbol of Roman government and power, and served as the headquarters for the Roman Senate in times of political turmoil. In 1252, the Medici family in Florence, Italy, erected a structure on a hill modeled after the Capitol in Rome. They named it the Palazzo della Signoria (Palace of the Signory), which was also known as the "Florentine Capitol." This building served as the government center of Florence for centuries and became a model for other civic buildings in Europe, including the Palais de la Cité in France and the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, Italy. In the United States, the term "Capitol" was first used in reference to a state building in Massachusetts in 1828. This inspired the designers of the new federal city, Washington, D.C., to name their official building the Capitol, in honor of the ancient Roman structures and their symbolic importance. Today, the term "capitol" is used to describe the official building housing the legislative branch of government in many countries, including the United States, where it refers to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.