Archea Korinthos in Korinthos, Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian, Greece — Ελλάδα (Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula)
The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
1. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
The Rostra was a complex marble structure dating from the middle of the 1st century A.D. which dominated the face of the terrace of the Upper Forum at Corinth. It took the form of an open propylon with a n-shaped ground plan, which stood on a rectangular pedestal measuring 15.6 x 7.2 meters. This pedestal had a crepis with two steps and on the north projected 3.00 meters above the level of the Lower Forum. Its superstructure consisted of eight pillars, the three central intervals between which were open while the two pairs at each end were blocked with walls and benches. The pedestal was flanked by two unroofed rooms (exedras) that had benches on two of their three sides. In addition to these rooms, there were marble staircases communicating between the Lower and Upper Forum.
The Rostra was the venue for public ceremonies, from which the assembled citizens were addressed by the proconsul of Corinth. It is thought to have corresponded to the Bema mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: the Apostle Paul was brought to the Bema by the elders of Corinth's synagogue, who accused him of subversive teaching against the Mosaic law. The proconsul Gallio, however, judged that the teaching did not constitute an offence against Roman law.
In the Byzantine period, a Christian church with
this page online
Erected by LZ Ephoreia of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location. 37° 54.31′ N, 22° 52.81′ E. Marker is in Archea Korinthos, Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian, in Korinthos. Marker can be reached from Enotiki Archeas Korinthou west of EO Korinthou Argous (Local Route 7), on the left when traveling north. This marker is located in the Archaeological Park of Ancient Corinth, and is situated near the center of the Roman Agora, in an open area, in front of the ruins of the Bema. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Archea Korinthos, Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian 200 07, Greece. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Heroon at the Crossroads: an early sanctuary of Ancient Corinth (a few steps from this marker); Saint Paul in Corinth and the Bema of the Roman Forum (a few steps from this marker); South Stoa (within shouting distance of this marker); Lechaion Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Buildings at the West End of Roman Agora
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
2. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of illustrations showing three different views: the top view being the reconstructed drawing of the bema an central shops (1st century A.C.); the middle view being the plan of the bema and central shops (1st century A.C.); and the lower view being the plan of the bema and central shops (present condition).
More about this marker. With regards to the location of all of the markers in the Archaeological Park of Ancient Corinth, when going online and researching directional information, I could not locate any websites, or any online maps, that provided the names of the local streets, so it was difficult for me to provide accurate and detailed directional information. The street and crossroad that I have provided are the closest two "named" streets that I could locate on any of the maps that I used.
One online site provided the following directions for getting to the archaeological park: "By car: 90 minutes from Athens. The exit to Ancient Corinth, approaching from the north, is about 2 kilometers west of the Tripolis interchange. Warning: visitors familiar with the village before 1996 should take the Patras interchange not the new Tripolis highway to arrive
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
3. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, showing the ancient floor plan of the Rostra (Bema).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
4. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, showing the elevation and plan of the Rostra (Bema) in its present condition.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
5. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, showing where the park visitor was in relation to the ruins of the archaeological park, while standing in front of the marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
6. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
View of several park visitors, standing in front of the marker, which is situated in front of the bema.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
7. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum Marker
A more distant view of the marker (just beyond and seen under the branches of the tree in the center of the picture), which is situated in front of the bema, near the very center of the Roman Agora.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
8. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum
View of a young girl standing in the Roman Forum, in front of the Roman Bema, with the Acrocorinth in the distant background behind the Roman Bema.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
9. The Rostra (Bema)
View of the Rostra (Bema) with the Acrocorinth seen directly behind it.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
10. The Rostra (Bema) of the Roman Forum
View of the Rostra (Bema).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on July 2, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
