The Roman Forum

The forum was a very crucial aspect of Roman life. The forum was the heart of the every Roman city, containing many important buildings. Ella and I decided to focus our attention of the very first forum, Forum Romanum. This was usually a large, open area. This area was usually used as a marketplace, or a meeting place.

In the center of the forum held the Colosseum, along with temples. These temples were used very often by everyday people to pray to Gods, which were very important in their everyday lives along with honor high officials in Rome. The Colosseum was used for entertainment through gladiator battles and other public spectacles.

The right of the forum held more temples, a Basilica, and Triumphal Arches. The basilica was a long hall used as law court and a place for wealthy merchants and Romans to meet. Arches were used as a way to commemorate victories. For example, the Arch of Titus was used to commemorate the victory in the Jewish War. 

To the left of the forum held more temples, Basilicas, and a Curia. The Curia was the location where the Senate met. 

At the far end of the forum held the Rostra, Tabularium, and even more temples. The Rostra was used as a speaker’s platform. This was where Rome’s leaders could address the people. The Tabularium housed the senate archive. 

The Forum held many temples, used to pray to the many Gods that the Romans lived to please, along with honor past emperors and figureheads in Rome. An example of these temples was the Temple of Romulus, which honored Valerius Romulus, the son of the Emperor Maxentius. Another Temple was the Temple of Vespasian, made to honor Emperor Vespasian. 

For the product Ella and I made, we wondered what the Roman Forum would have looked like if the Romans were still around today. Due to the Romans being very technologically advanced for their time, we figured that they would most likely have what resembled a large shopping mall. In the end, Ella and I decided to make a large Roman shopping mall which held these important buildings, along with many other shopping places that the Forum would most likely have. While we only included two levels, there would most likely be many more, including many more shops and buildings from the original Forums.

Works Cited 

"Forum Romanum." Forum Romanum. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

"Forum Romanum." , Rome. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

Watkin, David. The Roman Forum. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2009. Print.

Olsen, Madeline. Roman Architecture. Orlando: Harcourt School, 2006. Print.