Roman Forum

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A handbook of Rome and the Campagna (1899) (14579302047)

Rome in 753 BC

Parte di fregio con minotauro e felini, 600-550 ac ca., da regia, foro romano (antiquarium del foro) 02

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Templo de Vesta

2012-02-17 Foro Romano da Palazzo Senatorio 3

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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 for centuries 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 was not an architectural project planned from a single blueprint, but rather a sequence of developments that occurred over many centuries. From its early days as a marshy burial ground, it was sequentially drained and expanded. According to tradition, the Forum's transformation began in the 7th century BCE under King Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, who initiated the draining of the marshes with the construction of the Cloaca Maxima, a large drainage system. As Rome's population increased, the Forum became the city's primary urban center, with buildings and temples that reflected its political, religious, and social importance.

Key Structures

Among the key structures within the Roman Forum are the Curia Julia, the official meeting place of the Roman Senate; the Regia, the former residence of the Roman kings; the Temple of Vesta, where the Vestal Virgins kept the sacred fire burning; and the Rostra, the platform from which orators would speak to the assembled masses. Other significant ruins include the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, the Arch of Titus, and the Temple of Saturn, which housed the state treasury.

Cultural and Political Significance

The Forum was the bustling heart of ancient Rome, serving not only as the city's commercial hub but also as the center of legal and political life. Laws were passed, political and social speeches were made, and military triumphs were celebrated with parades through the Via Sacra, leading up to the Capitoline Hill. The Forum also hosted religious ceremonies and festivals, reflecting the rich tapestry of Roman religious life.

Decline and Preservation

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Forum fell into disrepair and was eventually buried under debris. It was not until the Renaissance that interest in the Forum was rekindled, and systematic excavations began in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the Roman Forum is a major tourist attraction, offering insights into the life of ancient Rome and its citizens.

Archaeological Investigations

Archaeological work in the Roman Forum continues to this day, uncovering new findings that provide a deeper understanding of Roman civilization. These excavations have not only revealed the rich history of the Forum itself but also the complexity of Roman society and its architectural achievements.

In Popular Culture

The Roman Forum has captured the imagination of artists, writers, and filmmakers for centuries. It has been featured in numerous works of fiction, films, and television series, often symbolizing the grandeur and decline of the Roman Empire.