Forums of Ancient Rome

  • All Roman towns and cities had a Forum, a public square surrounded by civic buildings, which was at the centre of Roman Public Life. In a Roman Fort, the Forum was called the Principia.
  • The Forum was placed at the intersection of the Cardo Maximus (north-south road) and the Decumanus Maximus (east-west road).

Rome

  • The most important Forum in the Roman Empire was the Forum Romanum in the centre of Rome.
  • Rome had a total of seven Forums which are listed below.

Forum Romanum (8th century BCE)

Forum Boarium (8th century BCE)

  • The Forum was the site of the original Docks of Rome. As this was where the cattle barges were unloaded, this became the cattle market and meat market. The Temples were built later.
    • Arcus Argentariorum, the Arch of the Bankers (204 CE).
    • Temple of Hercules Victor (2nd century BCE) then known as the Temple of Vesta.
    • Temple of Portunus (4th to 3rd century BCE) or Temple of Fortuna Virilis.
    • Temple of the Great Altar of Hercules (unknown early date)
      • This was rebuilt after the Great Fire of Rome (64 CE), and destroyed in the fourth century CE. The site is now occupied by the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, which holds the Mouth of Truth.

Forum Holitorium (3rd century BCE)

  • This was the fruit and vegetable market which dated from the 3rd century BCE.
  • It was located between the Forum Boarium and the Circus Flaminius. There were three Temples here adjacent to each other, and all have had parts incorporated into the Church of San Nicola.
    • Temple of Janus: 7 columns incorporated in the right side of the Church of San Nicola.
    • Temple of Spes: 6 columns are visible in the side of the Church of San Nicola.
    • Temple of Juno Sospita. 3 columns are visible in the front of the Church of San Nicola.

Forum of Julius Caesar (29 BCE)

  • The Forum of Julius Caesar, the Forum Julium, was begun in 54 BCE by Julius Caesar and completed in 29 BCE by Augustus. It is located next to the Forum Romanum and the Curia Hostilia
  • It was a Rectangular Square 524 x 246 feet (160 x 75 m) which contained:
    • A Plaza.
    • The Temple of Venus Generatrix: Julius Caesar claimed his own Family was descended from this Goddess.
    • The Statue of Julius Caesar mounted on a horse.

Forum of Augustus (2 BCE)

  • Built by Augustus to house a Temple to Mars, it was commenced in 20 BCE and inaugurated in 2 BCE.
    • Temple of Mars.
    • The Lost Eagles of the Legion recovered from the Enemy after failed battles were placed in the Temple of Mars.

Forum of Nerva or Transitional Forum (97 CE)

  • The Forum ran along the path of the Cloaca Maxima.
    • A giant Podium was constructed on which stood the Temple of Minerva.
    • Temple of Minerva.
    • Corinthian Columns ran down both sides of the Forum.

Forum of Trajan (112 CE)

  • It was constructed by Apollodorus of Damascus to celebrate the victory in the Dacian Wars which ended in 106 CE. The inauguration took place in 112 CE.
  • Trajan’s Forum was a monumental combination of open and enclosed spaces, and the last Imperial Forum to be built in Rome.
    • Trajan's Market, a monumental complex of shops and offices.
    • Trajan’s Column, inaugurated a year later in 113 CE.
    • Basilica Ulpia.
    • Arch of Trajan.
    • Temple of Trajan (not confirmed).
    • Two Libraries.
    • An Equestrian statue of Hadrian, set in the Atrium.

 

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