Forum RomanumInitially, the forum was the town square and market. As Rome grew, tranformaba it in yo

Forum RomanumInitially, the forum was the town square and market. As Rome grew, tranformaba it in your heart and in the very center of public life. The forum was the place where the public games were celebrated, and where the senators met with other assemblies. Religious and political ceremonies, speeches of the senators … all of them were held in the old forum. Different businesses have their headquarters there. People came daily to hear the latest news and gossip. Undoubtedly, the life of a Roman citizen was not complete without a visit to the forum.In order to undestand better what the forum meant for a Roman, we should read this paragraph from Curculio, written by Plautus. I know it is a little long, but I can say no waste:“I’ll point out in what place you may easily meet with eachperson, that he mayn’t lose his labour through too much trouble, if any onewishes to meet either a rascal or one without rascality, or an honest man or adishonest one. He who desires to meet with a perjured fellow, let him go intothe courts of law; The rich and erring husbands seek you at themagisterial halls of the Basilica. There, too, will be the worn-out harlots,and those who are wont to haggle for them. Contributors to pic-nic dinners you’ll find in the fishmarket. In the lower part of the Forum good men and opulent do walk; in the middle, near the canal , thereare the mere puffers-off. Beyond the lake of Curtius are impudent,talkative, and malevolent fellows (…) There, at the old shops, are these who lend andthose who borrow at interest. Behind the Temple of Castor there are those towhom unguardedly you may be lending to your cost. There, in the Etrurianstreet, are those men who hold themselves on sale. In the Velabrum you’ll find either baker, or butcher, or soothsayer; either those who sellretail themselves, or supply to others things to be sold by retail. Richsinning husbands you’ll find at the house of Oppian Leucadia. But,meantime, the door makes a noise; I must curb my tongue.” Plautus, Curculio.And now a list of the temples, monuments and buildings of the Roman Forum:Temple of Castor and Pollux (494 BC)Temple of Saturn (501 BC)Temple of Vesta (7th century BC)Temple of Venus and Roma (135)Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (141)Temple of Caesar (29 BC)Temple of Vespasian and Titus (79)Temple of Romulus (309)Temple of Divus Romulus (309)Basilica AemiliaBasilica JuliaRegiaCuria JuliaTabulariumPortico Dii ConsentesAtrium VestaeTullianumRostraUmbilicus Urbis Romae, the designated centre(“navel”) of the city from which, and to which, all distances in Romeand the Roman Empire were measured (probably identical with the Mundus Cereris)Milliarium AureumLapis NigerPlutei of Trajan, now in the Curia Julia -- source link

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