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The Many Monuments of the Roman Forum

Dating back to ancient Rome, the Forum sits right next to the Colosseum on the right bank of the city center.

The Roman Forum is an expansive plot of land that houses the ruins of many government and religious buildings that used to serve the citizens of the ancient city. The land was also home to Rome’s central marketplace.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 8:30am to 4:30pm

ADDRESS: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Metro STATION: Colosseo

Roman Forum – by Nicole Reyes –

Temples

Not all of the monuments within the Roman Forum were able to withstand the test of time; some of them have either been completely eradicated, or deemed unfit for the ruins to be explored by the public.

There are eight temples in the Forum, amongst them is the Temple of Venus and Roma. This monument is thought to have been the largest temple ever to exist in Rome.

It was built in dedication to the Goddess Venus, the bringer of good fortune, and the Goddess Roma Aeterna, eternal Rome.

Temple of Venus and Roma – by daryl_mitchell –

The construction of the Temple of Venus and Roma began in the year 121: it’s utterly unfathomable that we might still be able to stand on top of it to this day. The temple recently underwent a 26 year long restoration project to make the ruins safe for public exploration; entrance is now included in your tickets for the Colosseum, the Forum or Palatine Hill.

The Temple of Saturn was built a few hundred years after that of Venus and Roma. Collapse of infrastructure has left little more than the remains of just the front porch, that of which you can observe when you visit the Forum today.

In ancient Rome, Saturn ruled the Golden Age. When this landmark facilitated civilians, Rome’s gold and silver reserves were housed in this temple for safekeeping.

Temple of Saturn – by Livioandronico2013 –

Other temples on site of the Forum include:

• Temple of Caesar
• Temple of Castor and Pollux
• Temple of Vesta
• Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
• Temple of Vespasian and
• Titus Temple of Romulus

Basilicas

The Roman Forum was once home to three grans basilicas whereby the civilians could gain access to the clergy and government representatives at all times.

The first was the Basilica Aemilia. Unfortunately this building got totally destroyed sometime in history, and all there is to see today is merely the original plan and a few elements that were rebuilt for display purposes.

Similarly, there is nothing left of the Basilica Julia either. This was a grand structure that was said to be the most ornate of all buildings in the Forum.

Basilica Aemilia – by Attila Terbócs –

Most of the runs of Basilica Julia have been excavated. What’s left for the public to see are merely floors, small foundations and a few pillars. This was one building where the public loved to meet; it was often used for community gatherings, shopping and even as a court of law for a while.

The Basilica of Maxentius is one that you’ll be thrilled to visit due to how much of the building’s northern aisle remains. This was the largest building to ever exist on the Roman Forum, and the last Roman basilica ever built in the city.

Basilica of Maxentius – by Jebulon –

It is thought that the south and central sections of the Basilica of Maxentius were destroyed in an earthquake of sorts sometime before 1349. As mentioned, it’s the northern section that we can still see today.

Arches

There are three arches within the Roman Forum, all of which are still standing to this day.

These grand monuments go by the names of Septimius Severus, Titus and Constantine. The Arch of Constantine is the largest triumphant arch in Rome. It was built in the year 315 though there is some belief amongst historians that it may date back even further to Hadrian’s reign.

Arch of Constantine – by MainlyTwelve –

This arch features three bays, while the arches of Titus and Septimius Severus offer just one each.

The Arch of Septimius Severus is a beautiful structure made of white marble. The Arch of Titus, on the other hand, is a stone structure that has served as the inspiration for the construction of other triumphant arches since the 16th century. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, for example, was modeled after the Titus Arch in Rome.

Arch of Titus – by Jebulon –

Government Buildings 

Amongst the temple, basilica and arch ruins of the Roman Forum we also find a number of important government buildings that served the city throughout early history.

Back in the day, the king of Rome would live on site of the Forum, in a grand building known as Regia. The housing of the Roman Senate was here as well, as were all of the official Roman records from throughout history in a building called the Tabularium.

The Tullianum is an ever fascinating one. This was a state prison that was used only to house captured foreign leaders and generals.

While at the Forum, look out for a long line of Vestal Virgin statues. These are the remains of a palace that once stood underfoot. It was called the Atrium Vestae, also known as the house of the Vestal Virgins.

Atrium Vestae – by MM –

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Some other monuments to look out for are those that don’t fall under any of the above categories.

The last ever monument built inside the Roman Forum was the Column of Phocas. It still stands today, and was a dedication to the Roman Emperor Phocas of the time.

The Lacus Curtius is the remaining ruins of a mysterious pool of which not even the Romans understood the origins. It is likely that there would once have been a lake here that was later reconstructed for more accessible swimming.

Column of Phocas – by Jebulon –

The Rostra was a platform from which politicians would address the Roman public directly. Any big speeches would be made right here in the Forum from this landmark.

The shrines of the Roman Forum are another fascinating element to the land. Most of them are deemed destroyed or vanished, but the sites can still be visited if desired.