The forum is the low space between the Capitoline, the Palatine, and the river. It was considered the heart of the city, with politics, commerce, social exchanges, and religion. The curia and commitium were used for politics, with the commitium being the place for speeches and the curia where the Senate met. Nearby was the tabularium, the treasury and where the state archives were kept. The hexastyle ionic Temple of Saturn was also here, as well as the arch of Septimius Severus and the carcer (prison).
Similar to the Greek Agora, the point 0 for the city was here, and it was called the Umbilicus Urbis (or naval of the city). It was a sacred space that was to contain the tomb of Romulus and serve as an entrance to the underworld. But in 20 BC, Augustus created a new point 0 called the Miliarium Aureum.
The main street through the forum was called the “sacred way” and it was flanked by 2 basilicas. The older was the Basilica Aemilia, whose main supports were columns, and it was more of a commercial space. Built in honor of Julius Caesar by Augustus, the Basilica Julia was supported by piers, and was used more for legal functions. Past the two basilicas were the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Temple of Vesta. The Temple of Castor and Pollux was created to honor them for their forseen victory of the Romans over the Latins. The temple of Vesta was home to the vestal virgins, who looked after the eternal flame of Rome.
Similar to the Greek Agora, the point 0 for the city was here, and it was called the Umbilicus Urbis (or naval of the city). It was a sacred space that was to contain the tomb of Romulus and serve as an entrance to the underworld. But in 20 BC, Augustus created a new point 0 called the Miliarium Aureum.
The main street through the forum was called the “sacred way” and it was flanked by 2 basilicas. The older was the Basilica Aemilia, whose main supports were columns, and it was more of a commercial space. Built in honor of Julius Caesar by Augustus, the Basilica Julia was supported by piers, and was used more for legal functions. Past the two basilicas were the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Temple of Vesta. The Temple of Castor and Pollux was created to honor them for their forseen victory of the Romans over the Latins. The temple of Vesta was home to the vestal virgins, who looked after the eternal flame of Rome.