The Roman Forum - As you would expect, a City and Empire of the scale
of Ancient Rome needed strong laws and government, and the Roman Forum
was at the centre of this activity.
Political, commercial and judicial life revolved around the precincts
of The Forum, and the area teemed with Solicitors, Shopkeepers, Lawyers,
Bankers
and Brokers. Over successive ages, the Forum was modernised and extended
to cope with the growing demands of the Empire.
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One of my favourite views of The Roman
Forum, from the top of The Coloseum. From here you can see across
a large part of the site, and get a really great impression of
the scale of The Forum.
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Julius Caesar virtually rebuilt The Forum, onto its existing site, in
46BC and his Son, Augustus, followed this example over the following decades,
adding his own triumphal arch for good measure.
The Emperor Vespasian added The Coloseum auditorium on an adjoining plot,
which still forms an excellent vantage point to look over the remains of
The Forum today.
We recommend using the Metro (Line B, Colosseo) to get to the Forum site,
and the main entrance is on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, near the Arch of
Titus, which is also served by several bus routes.
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Metro Linea B, Station Colosseo. Buses
C3, 60, 75, 117. Open from 9:00am to sunset, Admission free.
The Forum is included in a guided walking tour of The Coloseum,
Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and more, lasting approx 3 hours. Click
here
to See
The Roman Forum in our "Rome on Foot" Guided Tour.
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To appreciate the full majesty, and the original layout of the Forum,
it is best to pick up one of the local guide books which are available
in all main languages on the stalls nearby.
Sadly, many of the main buildings were stripped of material during the
Renaissance period for use in other parts of the City, but you can still
clearly make out the Via Sacra (Sacred Way), the processional route through
the Forum used for centuries.
During the 18th Century there was much excavation work started (and it
still continues today) that uncovered such monuments as The Temple of Saturn
and The Arch of Septimus Severus. Although the site looks like a random
gathering of buildings today, there is still more to be discovered through
future excavation.
The eastern end of theRoman Forum houses the ruins of The Basilica of
Constantine and The House of the Vestal Virgins, and is the more picturesque
area to
spend your time. You’ll also want to see the remains of the Trajan
Markets, a complex that housed more than 150 shops and offices (including
the dole office) in its prime.
There are some newly excavated areas here
that can be seen for a small extra charge. Why not try one of our Rome
Guided Tours that feature this importent centre. As an insight into ancient
roman life, the Roman Forum is one of your best guides and well worth
a visit during your stay in the City.
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though many of the buildings have been destroyed or dismantled for
materials in other parts of the City, you can still sense the importance
of The Roman Forum. |
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