Page "Senate of the Roman Republic" Paragraph 4

At the beginning of the year, the first Senate meeting always took place at the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus.

Other venues could include the Temple of Fides or the Temple of Concord, or, if the meeting was outside of the formal boundary of the city, at the Temple of Apollo or ( if a war meeting ) at the Temple of Bellona.

In addition, the Senate operated while under various religious restrictions.

For example, before any meeting could begin, a sacrifice to the gods was made, and a search for divine omens ( the auspices ) was taken.

The auspices were taken in order to determine whether that particular Senate meeting held favor with the gods.

The Senate was only allowed to meet in a building of religious significance, such as the Curia Hostilia.