Forum
The Forum (a Latin word
meaning open space or market place) was the administrative and
corporate heart of Rome. Generally this word referred to the open
space in any Roman town where business, judicial, civic, or religious
activities were conducted. A typical forum might be surrounded by
temples, shops, and basilicas (large, covered structures used for
various meetings).
In Rome, there were several forums. The most
famous, the Roman Forum, was designed by the architect Vitruvius who
felt the proportions needed to be 3:2 (length to width). For
centuries, the Roman Forum was the site of the city's most important
public buildings including the Arch of Septimius Severus, built in A.D.203 and the
Rostra or public
speaking platforms. The reliefs on the triple arch represented many
of Rome's victories over oriental tribes and the Rostra was decorated
with prows of warships captured during battles. The Roman Forum
became the spectacular showcase of the Empire filled with beautiful
statues and architecture.
Eventually, the Roman Forum proved too small for Rome's ever growing public activities. Consequently, the first Imperial Forum was built in 54 B.C. by Caesar. Most subsequent emperors built their own forums including Nerva, Vespasian, and Trajan, who built the largest which covered an area of 25 acres.
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Trajan's Market - three stories of shops and stores |
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