Near Buthrotum in Sarand๋ District, Vlor๋, Albania — Southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula)
The Roman Forum
Forumi romak
| | Periudha Romake/I Cent. AD/Roman period | |
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
1. The Roman Forum Marker
Captions: (upper left) Large togate statue; (bottom left) North-west corner of the Forum pavement; (center right) Plan of Forum and Shrines.
English:
Julius Caesar's designation of Butrint as a Roman colony in the 1st century BC lead to dramatic changes in the city's infrastructure. A forum was construct, where an earlier Greek marketplace (agora) once stood as a monumental open space to be used for public business and worship. To the north of the forum, three shrines were built, with the dedication of the central chamber to Minerva Augustus revealed by fragments of marble inscriptions.
The remains of the forum, first discovered by archaeologists in 2005, consisted of a remarkable 2000 year-old pavement measuring c. 20 x 52m sq. surrounded by porticoes. Most of the forum still lies beneath 2 m of soil. Two marble sculptures were found during the excavation and are displayed in the Castle Museum.
The forum was once lined by major Roman buildings. These included temples, richly adorned with frescoes and marble. An earthquake destroyed the forum and its adjacent buildings in the late 4th century AD. The area was later reoccupied by modest domestic structures in the medieval period.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 39° 44.766′ N, 20° 1.254′ E. Marker is near Buthrotum, Vlor๋, in Sarand๋ District. It can be reached from Route SH81, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buthrotum, Vlor๋ 9706, Albania. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the Balkans, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and specifically the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Expansion of Butrint (within shouting distance of this marker); The Theatre (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Sanctuary of Asclepius (about 90 meters away); Roman Town Planning (about 120 meters away); Sacred Origins (about 120 meters away); The Baptistery and its mosaic pavements (about 180 meters away); The Great Basilica (about 180 meters away); The Lion Gate (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buthrotum.
More about this marker. The marker is located in Butrint National Park, just north of the ferry on route SH81.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
2. The Roman Forum Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
3. The Roman Forum mosaic
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2018
4. The Roman Forum mosaic is rarely uncovered to prevent damage,
this contributor was fortunate to be there when is was exposed.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
