Rome in Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)

Roman Forum

By William Fischer, Jr., October 3, 2013

1. Roman Forum Marker

Inscription.

The Roman Forum retained its importance especially during the Republican period (5th-1st centuries BC), when the valley gradually filled with public buildings whose remains are still preserved. These buildings, which almost always originally had a timber frame and brick facing, were reconstructed on various occasions, in part because they were frequently destroyed by fire or civil strife. It was this unplanned continuity of its buildings over time which gave the Roman Forum its typically disorderly appearance, without a unitary plan. The area's development peaked with the victorious end of the Punic Wars in the 2nd century BC when four basilicas were built: the Porcia, Opimia, Aemilia and Sempronia. Later, first under Julius Caesar and then Augustus and the early emperors (1st c. BC-1st c. AD), the Forum gradually took on a different role, that of monumental centre and place of religious memory, whilst public life moved to the nearby Imperial Forums. As a consequence building activities were interrupted, with one last moment of glory in the late empire with the construction of the honorary columns and equestrian statues. True decline began with the imperial court's move to Ravenna and the edicts of the 4th century AD decreeing the closure of the temples, some of which were turned into churches. This was followed in the 5th century

Roman Forum and Marker image. Click for full size.

By William Fischer, Jr., October 3, 2013

2. Roman Forum and Marker

Marker on right and columns of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina on left

by the Visigoth and Vandal invasions. The abandoned buildings fell into ruin whilst the ground level of the Forum rose to cover what remained. Buried in vegetation and now on the edge of the city the square became pasture, whence the name of "Campo Vaccino" (Cow's field).

Location. 41° 53.528′ N, 12° 29.17′ E. Marker is in Rome, Lazio, in Metropolitan City of Rome. Touch for map. Marker and ruins are in the Roman Forum. Marker is at or near this postal address: Via Sacra, Rome, Lazio 00186, Italy.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Roman Forum (a few steps from this marker); Altar of Caesar / Ara di Cesare (a few steps from this marker); Roman Forum. History of the Excavations (a few steps from this marker); Tabernae at the Front of the Basilica Aemilia (within shouting distance of this marker); Forum Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Regia (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (within shouting distance of this marker); Basilica Aemilia Entablature / Trabeazione (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rome.

Also see . . .
1. Rome Reborn: A Digital Model of Ancient Rome. (Submitted on June 14, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Roman Forum

View from the Via Nova

2. Roman Forum. (Submitted on June 14, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Forum Romanum. (Submitted on June 14, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Roman Forum Map from Rick Steves. (Submitted on June 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Categories. • Churches, Etc. • Man-Made Features • Politics • Settlements & Settlers •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on June 14, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on June 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo and transcription of adjacent Italian language marker • Can you help?