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Roman Forum Facts

Roman Forum Facts
The Roman Forum was once Ancient Rome's district of basilicas, public spaces, and temples, that made up the Roman Empire's political, commercial, and social center. It is located in a valley between Capitoline and Palatine Hills. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum did as well. Much of its stone and marble was removed and reused elsewhere. It was used as pastureland in the Middle Ages, and in the 1800s excavations began, which continue even today. The Roman Forum is world famous and a popular tourist destination because it was the forum in Ancient Rome that held the Senate House, making it the most important.
Interesting Roman Forum Facts:
Prior to being the site for the Roman Forum, the land was marshy. The Romans used a sewage system called Cloaco Maxima to drain the area, making it usable for the forum.
The land used to build the Roman Forum is believed to have been a burial site in the past.
In the beginning the Roman Forum was a popular marketplace but as it developed it became the important center to the Roman Empire.
Although the Roman Forum was known about prior to its excavation, it wasn't until 1803 that excavations began, thanks to the archeologist Carlo Fea.
It took more than 100 years for the excavations to clear the Roman Forum.
Foro was the name given by the ancient Romans to an urban settlement's central square. Foro translates to Forum.
The Roman Forum's ancient Latin name was 'Forum Romanum'.
The Roman Forum was the site where elections, public speeches, gladiator matches, and even trials of accused criminals took place.
Monuments and statues of those considered great in Ancient Rome were created in the Roman Forum. Some temples were constructed to honor men and some were constructed to honor gods.
It was common in Rome to build new buildings right over old ruins. There is evidence from many centuries in the Roman Forum because of this.
When the Roman Forum fell into disuse much of its stone and marble was used to build other buildings in Rome and its surrounding areas. The Vatican and churches in Rome have remnants of the Roman Forum.
The Roman Forum's size was 170 meters by 250 meters.
Most of the structures built at the Roman Forum were constructed during Julius Caesar's reign and during Augustus, his successor's reign.
Most of the buildings were destroyed in 410, at the same time when Rome was falling as an empire.
In the Middle Ages when the Roman Forum's land was being used as pasture land for grazing animals, the area became known as 'Campo Vaccino', which means 'cattle field'.
Some of the most famous ruins in the Roman Forum include the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, the Rostra, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Curia, the Senate House.
The Roman Forum included banks, temples, public baths, markets, political venues, and was a popular place for social events.
The Roman Forum is so popular with tourists that approximately 4.5 million visit the site each year.


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