Forum (Roman)

Foro Romano Musei Capitolini Roma

Forum (Roman)

The Roman Forum (Latin: Forum Romanum, Italian: Foro Romano) is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum. It was the center of Roman public life: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history.

History

The Roman Forum has been a site of many of the city's earliest and most significant ludi (public games), sacrifices, and political activities. From the time of the late Roman Republic, it was the political, judicial, and commercial center of the city. It was repurposed for various uses during the Roman Empire and later by the Byzantine Empire for administrative purposes.

The Forum fell into disrepair after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and was eventually buried under debris. It was rediscovered and extensively excavated in the 18th and 19th centuries, revealing many of its most famous monuments to be in ruins. Today, the Forum is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million or more sightseers yearly.

Layout and Important Structures

The Forum's layout includes several key structures, many of which are ruins today. Among the most significant are:

- The Curia Julia, the Senate House, where the Roman Senate met. - The Rostra, the large platform for public speeches. - The Regia, the former royal residence of the Kings of Rome. - The Temple of Saturn, housing the state treasury. - The Temple of Vesta, where the Vestal Virgins kept the sacred fire burning. - The Arch of Titus, commemorating Titus' victories, including the Siege of Jerusalem.

Cultural and Historical Impact

The Roman Forum was more than just a site for political activities; it was also a cultural and religious center. The area was dense with temples, including the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Romulus, and the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. It was a place where the Romans commemorated their past, celebrated their present, and looked to the future.

Excavations and Preservation

Excavation of the Forum began in earnest in the 18th century under the direction of artists and architects sponsored by various European monarchs. The excavations revealed the Forum's complex layering of Roman history, from the Republic through the Roman Empire, and into the Medieval period. Preservation and restoration efforts continue today, as the Forum remains a delicate site, vulnerable to pollution, weathering, and the pressures of tourism.

In Popular Culture

The Roman Forum has captured the imagination of generations of artists, writers, and filmmakers. It has appeared in numerous works of fiction and has been a symbol of the Roman Empire's legacy of architectural and political achievement.

See Also

- Colosseum - Palatine Hill - Roman architecture - History of Rome

This historical related article is a stub.