Augustus Legacy

The Forum of Augustus was erected in 2 BCE, a full forty years after it was promised in 42 BCE. Augustus at the time known as Gaius Octavius at the time vowed to Mars during the battle of Philippi to erect a temple in his name. He did this most likely to bring him strength in this battle as after the battle he was able to avenge his adoptive father Julius Caesar by killing his assassins. Sometime after in 27 BCE he became Princeps of Rome changings his name to Augustus. He then made plans to build a forum and build the temple he vowed of Mars Ultor inside of it. He also stated through propaganda that by doing this he was fulfilling his adoptive will linking him to the deified Julius Caesar whom the people loved making him more popular
Besides the Mars Ultor the forum included, a statue of Augustus in Military dress in the middle of the forum, states of all men in the Julian-Claudian family (which traced Augustus’ lineage back to kings and Romulus and Remus), a massive marble statue in the center of the temple, as well as statue of Athena Alea which Augustus had taken from its temple in Greece. These statues served not only to honor those in the statues but also to advertize Augustus’ “lineage”. Augustus did this to show he was one of the greats as well as show that he was powerful and a worthy leader and to relate himself to the old republic. The Forum also had a thirty meter high wall behind the temple to separate it from the houses which were behind
This started to happen with the dedication of the Forum of Trajan in 112 CE shown by the fact that the number of inscriptions decline starting around this time. This suggests that many of the functions were moved over to the Forum of Trajan, even though Hadrian made repairs to the forum. In the first half of the sixth century CE bricks from the temple were taken and used in other building projects. Evidence shows the reason for this was most likely the Forum and Temple were heavily damaged either by war or Earthquakes. Then in the ninth century CE a Basilian Monastery was erected on the sight of the destroyed temple. In the twelfth century the function again was changed as soil was added and the area was used for agriculture. However the soil blocked the drains which led to a marsh being formed and remained until the area was drained during the sixteenth century CE.
The forum still exists in Rome today though it is largely in ruins since much of it was reused or damaged by things mentioned earlier. The forum all and all was a key part of Roman culture and daily life in its prime. It included aspects of higher class things like politics and propaganda as well as it contained things the average citizen cared about such as religion, and trials. It also was used as a meeting place as well as a marketplace making it a key aspect of everyday Roman