pictured above: an artists impression of the forum; the forum as it is today
The forum was the political, religious, legal and administrative centre of ancient Rome - it was where people set up stalls to sell their wares, where they socialised, shopped, and carried out business. Many festivals and games took place there, as well as funeral processions for prominent figures. It was referred to by citizens as the Forum Magnum (The Great Forum). Rather than having a set construction date, the buildings were built and renovated over a long period of time as the needs of the people and the city changed.
pictured above: an artists impression of the Roman Forum (information below)
The following are the parts of the Roman Forum, numbered in accordance with the above image:
The Roman Forum was an integral part of day to day life and business, and was a very busy space. The busiest and most lively time in the forum was around about 11 AM - there would be businessmen making deals in the basilica and bankers discussing loans, cases of law being discussed in the court rooms, people shouting their wares from their stalls, priests and priestesses going through their daily rites, people would be socialising loudly and discussing a wide array of matters while an orator spoke to a large crowd from the rostra. The forum was incredibly hectic, but also the life and heart of the city - what with it being the centre of business, religion, and politics, among many other things. Keeping that in mind, it is obvious to see that the forum was incredibly important to the people of ancient Rome.
- The Curia; the centre of political business, where the Senate would meet
- Arch of Septimius Severus; a decorative arch dedicated to the emperor Septimius Severus and his sons
- Rostra; a large stage where people would speak
- Temple of Vespasian; a temple dedicated to the deified emperor Vespasian
- Via Sacra; the main street of Rome
- Temple of Saturn; temple dedicated to Saturn, the god of the underworld
- Colonna di Foca; a large column dedicated to the emperor Phocas
- Basilica Iulia; a law court, where bankers worked, also used for sessions of the Centumviri (Court of the Hundred) who were a court of equity,
- Basilica Emilia; a civil law court, where bankers worked, all activity was moved here in the case of bad weather, included the Tabernae Novae (new shops)
- Temple of Julius Caesar; dedicated to the emperor Caesar
- Temple of the Vestals; temple of the Vestal Virgins, priestesses of Vesta (goddess of the hearth), who took a vow chastity and tended to the sacred fire
- Temple of Castor; temple dedicated to Castor and Pollux, the divine sons of Zeus and Leda
- Church of Santa Maria Antiqua; a Roman catholic church
- Temple of Augustus; temple dedicated to the deified Augustus
- Temple of Antoninus and Faustina; dedicated to the emperor Antoninus Pius and his wife
- Temple of Romolus; dedicated to the emperor Maxentius' son, who passed away at a young age
- Temple of Venus and Roma; dedicated to Venus Felix and Roma Aeterna
- House of the Vestals; where the Vestal Virgins lived
- Basilica Di Maxentius; largest building of the forum, a law court
- Colosseum; arena in which gladiatorial games were hosted
- Arch of Titus; honorific arch dedicated to Titus, brother of the emperor Domitian
- Palatine Hill; one of the most ancient parts of the city, also the hill upon which Romulus and Remus were raised by the she-wolf Lupa
The Roman Forum was an integral part of day to day life and business, and was a very busy space. The busiest and most lively time in the forum was around about 11 AM - there would be businessmen making deals in the basilica and bankers discussing loans, cases of law being discussed in the court rooms, people shouting their wares from their stalls, priests and priestesses going through their daily rites, people would be socialising loudly and discussing a wide array of matters while an orator spoke to a large crowd from the rostra. The forum was incredibly hectic, but also the life and heart of the city - what with it being the centre of business, religion, and politics, among many other things. Keeping that in mind, it is obvious to see that the forum was incredibly important to the people of ancient Rome.
Authors comment:
I believe that the Roman Forum is one of the most interesting places in the city, and that it is truly interesting to learn about all the things that went on there - from business transactions to law cases to markets. The site is incredibly well preserved and I would love to visit someday - I could probably spend hours there! There is so much to learn about each individual building, which I absolutely love.