The Palatine Hill (Mons Palatium in Latin, Monte Palatino in Italian) is one of the seven hills of Rome. It occupies a central position in ancient Rome[1], of which it is one of the oldest parts. It overlooks the Roman Forum to the north and the Circus Maximus to the south. During the Empire, the Palatine was occupied by imposing residences built for the emperors, which gave rise to the word "palace." Their ruins still occupy a large part of the hill today.

Octavian, after his return from Sicily in 36 BC, bought several houses on the Palatine, including that of the orator Hortensius and another known as the House of Livia, and renovated them for public and private use. Nearby, and on top of some of the older houses, he built a temple to Apollo.