The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum, located between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, was the “chief marketplace of Rome, and, during the Empire, the main seat of government containing the greatest of the city’s basilicas” (2). This grand forum symbolized the power and success of Rome throughout the kingdom, republic, and the empire. Initially, the land upon which the Forum was built was a swampy valley of little to no use to the kingdom. However, during the reign of the Tarquin kings, the Cloaca Maxima, the sewer system of the city, drained the valley in order to create a gathering place for Etruscan citizens (1, online article). This area developed into a popular marketplace, and a space to hold public speakings and religious processions. A roadway known
Many years prior to the republic, the corner of the Roman Forum contained the Comitum, the location of public assemblies, and meetings held to vote for laws (3). The social and civil affairs began to expand, and congested the existing Forum. Therefore, Julius Caesar built the Forum Caesaris to the north of the Roman Forum. Over the centuries, other imperial forums were also built close to the Roman Forum. Julius Caesar gave the Roman Forum significance in relationship to Republic affairs. After a naval victory in 338 BC, the Rostra, a platform for speakers, was built. Julius Caesar constructed a new Rostra facing the Roman Forum beside the northwestern side. Throughout the late Republic, the Rostra held many stirring speeches, one of these concerning the condemnation of Mark Antony by Cicero. Because of this, Cicero’s hands and head were cut off and presented on the Rostra (3). In addition, Julius erected the famous Curia Hostilla, a place used by the Senate for meetings. Augustus Caesar finished both the Rostra and the Curia after the death of Julius (1). Julius Caesar erected the Basilica Julia, a structure used to accommodate merchants and magistrates, or hold public assemblies (3). Two historic temples, the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Castor and Pollux were also constructed within the
The builder of the temple is unknown, but it was built around the 7th century BC (18). Today, the diameter of the temple is 50 feet, and each column is about 36 feet in height. The Temple was made from Pentelic marble found near Athens, and the columns possess an Ionic style with Corinthian acanthus leaves (16). The Temple was dedicated to Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth. In the Roman Republic and Empire, families worshipped Vesta in the household, because she “served as a symbol of home and family as well as the guardian of the sacred fire in her temples” (online article about Vesta). Six Vestal Virgins were priestesses of the Temple throughout Roman history. The sacred hearth of Vesta was located within the temple, and the Vestal Virgins had to re-light the fire in the hearth at the beginning of March. There was also a festival of Vesta, Vestalia, which was held on June ninth every year (18). The temple also contained the Palladium a wooden statue of Pallas Athena. According to legend, the Palladium was taken from Troy and brought to Italy by Aeneas