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The Roman Forum: A Reconstruction and Architectural Guide Illustrated Edition

by Gilbert J. Gorski (Author), James E. Packer (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
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The Roman Forum was in many ways the heart of the Roman Empire. Today, the Forum exists in a fragmentary state, having been destroyed and plundered by barbarians, aristocrats, citizens, and priests over the past two millennia. Enough remains, however, for archaeologists to reconstruct its spectacular buildings and monuments. This richly illustrated volume provides an architectural history of the central section of the Roman Forum during the Empire (31 BCE–476 CE), from the Temple of Julius Caesar to the monuments on the slope of the Capitoline hill. Bringing together state of the art technology in architectural illustration and the expertise of a prominent Roman archaeologist, this book offers a unique reconstruction of the Forum, providing architectural history, a summary of each building's excavation and research, scaled digital plans, elevations, and reconstructed aerial images that not only shed light on the Forum's history but vividly bring it to life. With this book, scholars, students, architects, and artists will be able to visualize for the first time since antiquity the character, design, and appearance of the famous heart of ancient Rome.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0521192447
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0521192446
  3. Edition
    Illustrated
  4. Publisher
    Cambridge University Press
  5. Publication date
    June 11, 2015
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    12.4 x 9.2 x 1.8 inches
  8. Print length
    457 pages
  9. See all details
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Book Description

This richly illustrated volume provides an architectural history of the central section of the Roman Forum during the Empire (31 BCE–476 CE).

About the Author

Gilbert J. Gorski is a licensed architect and the project designer for numerous buildings including the World Headquarters for the McDonald's Corporation in Oak Brook, IL, and the Oceanarium, a major addition to the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. In 1987 he was designated the Burnham Fellow by the Chicago Architectural Club and was awarded an associate fellowship to the American Academy in Rome. Since 1989 Gorski has headed his own firm specializing in design and illustration. His drawings and paintings have been included in numerous publications and exhibits on architecture and illustration. He was twice awarded the Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize, the nation's highest singular honor in architectural illustration, by the American Society of Architectural Illustrators. He is also the recipient of an Institute Honor for Collaborative Achievement, awarded by the American Institute of Architects. He presently is an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame and holds the James A. and Louise F. Nolen Chair in Architecture.

James E. Packer is Emeritus Professor of Classics at Northwestern University. He is the author of the three-volume The Forum of Trajan in Rome (1997); of numerous articles in journals, including the American Journal of Archaeology, the Journal of Roman Archaeology, the Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma, the Maryland Historian, Natural History, Croniche Pompeiane, Technology and Culture, Curator, Inland Architect, Archeo, and Archaeology; and of articles in collections, including the Lexicon Topographicum Urbis Romae (1993–2000). He is the recipient of many grants, including those from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the Getty Grant Program, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. He has excavated at Pompeii, in the Forum of Trajan (Rome), and in the Theater of Pompey (Rome). 'The Forum of Trajan' exhibition at the opening of the new Getty Museum in Los Angeles (1997) was based on Packer's work.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press; Illustrated edition (June 11, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 457 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0521192447
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521192446
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.47 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.4 x 9.2 x 1.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

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  1. James E. Packer

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
27 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Anthony
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely gorgeous full color renderings with detailed architectural explainations!
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023
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This book is a masterpeice of both artistic and technical detail covering the monuments of the ancient Roman Forum. The renderings of the original monuments as they appeared in antiquity bring to life the architecture of the Roman Forum as I have never seen before. The book includes a number of fold-out two page renderings that show the entire Forum from a number of different perspectives, complete with all monuments. Each major monument is rendered in exquisite detail.

As beautiful as the artistic depictions of the monuments are, the architectural explanations are just as impressive. Each monument is picked apart with explainations covering in detail the elements of the architecture. I have been to the Roman Forum a number of times, but after reading this book my next trip back will be like going for the first time. I have learned so, so much. The Roman Forum is one of the most amazing ancient archeological sites in the world. This book will bring it to life in a way that will leave you planning your next trip to Rome.

Yes, it is expensive, but easily worth every penny. If you'r at all serious about understanding and/or visualizing the monuments of the Roman Forum, you must get this book.
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Lee J. Govatos
5.0 out of 5 stars awesome book!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2015
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As an architectural historian who has studied Roman architecture his whole life and consequently knew more than the guides at the Roman Forum, particularly, I can confidently say this magnificent book in every way has exceeded my expectations. No other book has remotely compared with this definitive study in regards to scholarship and artistry. The illustrations are incredibly realistic ,almost photographic in their details. Plans, elevations and sections of each building reflect the latest findings with respect to archaeology and research. Heretofore I have never before seen in countless books an alternative restoration of the arcaded facade of the Basilica Julia, with a second story terrace, in addition to its "usual" depiction without the terrace. Because there is no conclusive evidence, I appreciated the authors illustrating both possible elevations, a remarkable first, in my opinion. Quite frankly, I believe that any and all learned institutions and anyone interested in art history or Roman architeture should unquestionably have this book to enjoy.
26 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars otvExcellent book on the Roman Forum
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2020
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The book gives an overview of the Forum Romanum at different periods and goes on to give detailed descriptions of each of the buildings with photographs of the current remains and detailed reconstructions showing changes to each building over time as well as the entire forum. If you're planning a trip to Rome be sure to take this with you as the pictures are definitely worth 1000 words and the detail of the reconstructions show you what's missing and will make popular with anyone you're visiting the Forum with and perhaps anyone you meet there as you'll be the expert on site
😊
2 people found this helpful
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Sydney Greyhouse
5.0 out of 5 stars Not much to add, other than...
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2019
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This is a scholarly work as well as an art masterpiece. It will take me years to finish reading it, as I pause on each plate, taking in all the details. It is stunning, a triumph, and a must-have for any serious student of Roma.
One person found this helpful
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michael
4.0 out of 5 stars The authors tried to bring it back.
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2015
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I waited so long for this book. So difficult to critique. Please allow me to try again. I am an artist and an art teacher. It took so long because it was a task that perhaps: could not be finished. I can think the authors and artists made each other crazy to try to make the book perfect. I was happy to see that someone else found it difficult to paint Corinthian capitals. .........

I was fascinated by roman ruins as a grade school boy. I assumed that Rome as a city was just falling down and sinking in to the earth. At home, our sofa was covered by a Piranesi print of the forum. That is not what happened. Rome was torn down and dismantled over time, with a determination that only men with a mission can manage to achieve. Money, Religion, Greed, Self Promotion, and garbage. Amazing what can happen to a city when no one picks up the trash, the ground begins to rise.
I don't understand why the authors could not see that the fire under Carinus that took away the Basilica Julia and the temple of Saturn would have had to have damaged if not destroyed the Temple of divine Augustus, and done nearly equal damage to the temple of Castor. Diocletian could have only restored just so much. What was done to the basilica is more or less known, and it was more or less a patch job. Certainly the Saturn temple restoration gives a hint at what restoration work at that date could do, not a very graceful replacement. That anything is left for us to see is a miracle: before we are hit in the face with disappointment. There is really not that much there to see, and I don't think that what is there is very pretty. But then: there was a time when 5th avenue in New York City was graced with row after row of magnificent private palaces pretending to be homes, The Collis P. Huntington petit palace at 5th Avenue and 57th St. was finished in 1895 and demolished in 1926. That the folks that built the place were rich is not the point. That a hand made house built in solid granite, filled with art, finished with the finest marble and onyx, rare woods. Then after thirty years was destroyed. No reasonable floor plan seems to remain. The house seems to have disappeared as if it was never there. A few black/white pictures remain as a few pieces of the marble remain in the Basilica Aemilia. The sparse remains of the africano and the pavonazetto, and the gialla-antico is a miracle. But that the floors and walls and veneers remained to be found and when not to Gods glory vanished to paper weights. I would take a piece. As a human: I have a right to build and destroy? No? A miracle that anything is left in Rome to see.
The Art: I wish the colors were a little less off color, pale olive. Each building would have had a different color due to being built at a different time. Even built with the same marble from the same quarry, time would change the color. They burned wood and coal for heating and cooking. The buildings would have been stained with the pollution. That might have been difficult to think about, but it would have given the images a greater sense of three dimension, Not enough people in the images. I know that is difficult to do. My favorite image is the two of you on the edge of the palatine. All the marble is there and the color true, and for a moment the viewer is enchanted. There must have been a time when naughty children whacked the heads off the statues. The bronze figures pulled down, the roof tiles removed. As Professor Packer has shown: they dug out most of the footings. The art work was very brave, but that there had been time to enhance the art with some of the suggestions I have mad. But there were images that could break your heart and bring a moment of tearful pause. I am suggesting the picture of only the birds flying. The real heart breaker is the picture of the snow and the footprints in said snow, The artist made me think about the weather, and the poor lost souls that made the prints. The Romans and the artist that made me cry.
Time does not heal all. I understand why it took so long to bring out this book. Time nibbles away. Work on the Imperial forums, find the temple of Trajan. And the temple of Augustus must be found, I dream of it. You see: you have another book to collaborate on, and I will buy it.
11 people found this helpful
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John Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent perspective on the history of the Forum
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017
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When I was in Rome, I had the opportunity to take 3 tours through the Forum. I wish I had this book before I visited the Forum and was able to take it with me. The author does an excellent job of showing in detail the history of the Forum. We had to visit several museums to get some of this information. The drawings are high quality, as are the pictures.
3 people found this helpful
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A Voracious Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2015
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This gorgeous book has been well worth the wait. It has a comprehensive overview of the forum and well as individual histories of all the monuments. The 3-dimensional computer graphics views are detailed and help envision the forum as it might have been. Maps, photographs, as well as a glossary, help with the reader's understanding of this important site. It’s rare to find all this information about the forum all in one place. This book will be an important work for decades to come.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Daniel Wahl
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting book with elaborate reconstructions
Reviewed in Germany on January 22, 2021
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Very helpful for a better understanding of the Roman Forum, especially when visiting the ruins as a tourist.
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Art Booklover
5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendous
Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2019
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I can't imagine a reconstruction surpassing these illustrations.
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Guy Mannering
5.0 out of 5 stars A great combination of scholarship and artistry.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2015
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Whilst I understand the annoyance of the writer of the adjacent review at having received such a heavy and expensive volume poorly protected in transit, I believe that Amazon reviews should be confined to the quality of the product rather than the quality of the service or packaging and indeed that they are intended for that purpose. Anyway, I feel no hesitation in awarding this splendid book five stars. It is a great combination of meticulous scholarship and wonderful artistry that pretty much renders obsolete all previous publications on the Roman Forum. James E. Packer takes us through the history of the principal buildings, their eventual destruction, their rediscovery and renovation whilst Gilbert Gorski provides accurate and atmospheric reconstructions which often achieve an almost photographic realism with the buildings viewed from daring perspectives (one might perhaps venture a slight criticism that the reconstructions look just a little too pristine.) There are also many illustrations of Roman coins which commemorated the Forum's monuments; and rarely seen photographs such as those showing the interior of the Senate House when it was still a church, the gutting of the church's baroque interior to bring it back to its original state and the discovery of the original floor of the Senate House. I would like to have seen a little more attention paid to the minor monuments, shrines and statues that cluttered the centre of the Forum, for example there is no discussion of the Lacus Curtius, the Temple of Janus, the Shrine of Venus Cloacina or the equestrian statue of Constantine although the first two of these are clearly visible in the reconstructions. I was also a little disappointed that important buildings on the periphery such as the Basilica of Maxentius and the House of the Vestals were not included and I think Mr. Gorski might have had a go at reconstructing the interiors of some of the buildings. But frankly that's me being nit-picky. If you have the money and have an interest in the Roman Forum or the topography of ancient Rome then you need not hesitate to acquire this splendid volume. If the price looks daunting, then perhaps you can bide your time and hope that the publishers will eventually consider a condensed and inexpensive paperback edition as happened with Packer's monumental three volume work on the Forum of Trajan (and Michael Grant's book on the Roman Forum, first published in 1970, which relies heavily on the generally accurate reconstructions of Giuseppe Gatteschi, is still highly recommendable as a stopgap.)
9 people found this helpful
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Mr. Alan T. Fidler
5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive but well worth the price
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2018
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This book is both heavy, quite large (12" Wide, 9" Tall, 1,3/4" Thick) and visually stunning. If you have ever visited what remains of the roman forum, have seen it on some of the excellent UHD walkthrough videos that are online or just have a fascination for ancient Rome and want to make sense of the ruins and have an understanding of what used to be there, this is the book for you. It is beautifully illustrated with realistic looking reconstructions that bring the forum to life and there is a wealth of written information to accompany the beautiful artwork. I spent a lot of money on this book but dont regret it, it is worth every penny.
One person found this helpful
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PeterJ
4.0 out of 5 stars This book is visually stunning. So it should be ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2015
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This book is visually stunning. So it should be, considering the price ! However, the book was not shrink wrapped nor were the corners of the hard cover protected as I would have expected, again considering the price. The dust cover was scratched front and back so I threw that away. There is a lot of very interesting and detailed content but some of the (very nice) illustrations and reconstructions are very similar throughout the book, even looking to appear more than once. I will keep this book as a major reference aid for years to come, just a shame that it's presentation is spoilt by not bothering with simple pre-delivery protection, such as I have found in place with books costing a lot less than this one.
4 people found this helpful
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