Foro Romano / Photo by admin

Location

The Forum is located in a valley between the Palatine Hill on the southern border and the Capitoline Hill on the western border. On the east is the Velia, which was leveled in antiquity and two hills Quirinal Hill and Esquiline Hill on the north.
The best place to view the whole complex is from Palazzo Senatorio which is behind Piazza del Campidoglio. After gazing at the ruins and imagining the ancient grandeur and enormous size walk through the broken columns and stones with a guidebook and plenty of time.

Description and Purpose

Filled with beautiful statues and architecture, it was the showcase of Rome for centuries. The Sacra Via or main road through the Forum connected the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Vesta. The presence of these many significant buildings and monuments testify to the importance of the Roman Forum to the city life.

The Forum was designed by Vitruvius and contained Rome’s key buildings including the Arch of Septimius Severus built in 203 AD and the platforms for public speeches, the Roman Forum Rostra as well as the Curia. The prows of captured warships decorated the Rostra and the triple arch had reliefs that depicted Rome’s victories in war.

Another part of Foro Romano / Photo by admin

The Sacra Via was the culmination point of the heroic military processions when victorious generals entered the city though the Triumphal Gate. The Forum is the oldest part of the city and many great and famous men walked on the same stones that are there today.

Where did it go?

It was for centuries the center of the world with a senate house, law courts, business district and market, and even with only the stones and ruins that can be seen today, it still lifts the heart and mind. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, the Forum became a cattle pasture at the end of the 4th century when it was buried and forgotten.

The Roman Senate building or Curia is the largest brick building in the Forum that still has a roof. The original marble floor and tiered seats for senators is still there. The arch of Titus celebrating victories in Jerusalem and the arch of Septimius Severus celebrating victories in Iraq and Iran are on opposite ends of the Forum. Eight magnificent columns of the temple of Saturn which was built in 17 BC remain.
The lead and bronze tiles and clamps were stripped and stolen, the marble blocks and, incredibly, the beautiful statues were burned to make lime for cement. This magnificent place remained forgotten until the nineteenth century when it was appreciated again.

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Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

The history of the oldest buildings dates back to 7th century BC, to the reign of the first Etruscan king. But first important buildings connected with political, religious and civic life began to appear here during the reign of Claire Caesar. In addition to patrician houses here were built shops, temples, basilicas and markets. The most commonly used building material was marble, gilt metal and cut stones. Construction boom stopped in the early 2nd century AD. The reason was simple – there was no empty space here any more.

Foro Romano began to lose importance with the fall of the Roman Empire. The buildings then began to decay. Advanced and splendid city turned relatively quickly into ruins. A large fire even help it in the 3rd century. Following several earthquakes and barbarous conquerors destroyed almost the whole area. Marble stones were dismantled and used to build local houses or shipped to other parts of Italy, to build churches and palaces. Finally Foro Romano became untidy overgrown space again.

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In the 18th century, archaeologists discovered this area and immediately started to clean it. Slowly and carefully uncovered the remains of ancient buildings, and finally Foro Romano saw the light of day again. The first comprehensive archaeological survey was carried out at the turn of the 18th and 19th century under the leadership of the Italian archeologist Carlo Fea. In 1803 he discovered the remains of a massive arch Septimius Severus and later of the other temples as well. After these discoveries the place began to attract researchers from all over the world. The main archaeological works were completed in the early of the 20th century when many ruins of temples and basilicas were uncovered.

Visitors to Rome now can see at least a fraction of these beautiful ancient monuments that once dominated by Foro Romano.

Foro Romano is currently considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Although it cannot amaze visitors with its ancient beauty any more, attracts them with its glory and mysterious atmosphere.

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Porta Pretoria, Aosta, Italy by Bumba

The city of Aosta would be settled afterwards by the Roman Empire which created Augusta Praetoria Salassorum. This Roman colony was to be a retirement home of sorts for more than 3,000 Roman veterans. The location was also of a military significance as both ends of the valley are protected by the Little and Great St. Bernard Passes.

Countless visitors make their way to Aosta in order to see the ancient ruins of the Augusta Praetoria Salassorum. This small colony is well-preserved and is enclosed in a walled area that measures 725 meter by 751 meters. The city once had four gates and two towers at either side of each gate. There were 20 towers in all. Nearby you will even find the 11th century Tower of Bramafan which was built atop of the original Roman bastion by the House of Savoy.

Aosta and its surroundings, Italy by Tinelot Wittermans

The 22 meter tall southern wall of the original Roman amphitheater still stands today. Built by order of Augustus, more than 4,000 people could fit into the Aosta theater. Just outside of the town you will find the Arch of Augustus which was built back in 35 B.C. to commemorate the victory over the Salassi.

All throughout the area one can find many well preserved structures which date back to the great Roman Empire. You would be amazed as to how well the Roman veterans were cared for by the empire.

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