Roman Forum, Rome 
Aerial view of the Roman Forum. Image © Google Earth.
West side of the Roman Forum viewed from the Capitoline Hill.
Forum temples converted to churches: Antoninus and Faustina/San Lorenzo in Miranda (left) and Jupiter Stator/Cosma e Damiano (right).
Temple of Vespasian (left) and Arch of Septimus Severus.
Detail of the Arch of Septimus Severus.
The three-aisled Basilica of Maxentius.
The Arch of Titus at the east end of the Forum. Photo
Nick Leonard.
Relief of the sack of Jerusalem on the Arch of Titus.
The Decennalia Base (303 AD).
Another side of the Decennalia Base.
Aerial view of the House of the Vestal Virgins. Image © Google Earth.
The Column of Phocas (608 AD).
Side view of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.
Temple of Castor and Pollux (right) and the smaller Temple of Vesta (left).
Inside view of the Temple of Saturn. Photo
Nicholas Thompson.
Location map and aerial view of Roman Forum. For a larger interactive view, see our Rome Map.
Rome's Roman Forum is one of the most important historic sites in the world. The public heart of the "Eternal City" throughout the Republic and the Empire, its varied structures range in date from the 5th century BC to the 7th century AD.
History
The Roman Forum was first used as a market by Etruscan kings in the 6th century BC. The forum became especially important during the Republican period, when many temples and public buildings were erected on the site. The Roman emperors added more monuments and temples, and some of these were converted into churches after the establishment of Christianity in the 4th century.
The Forum fell into disuse and ruin in the Middle Ages. The stone of the monuments was quarried for use elsewhere and the area was used as a cow pasture. Excavations of the ancient forum began in the 18th century and still continue today.
What to See
Good general views over the Roman Forum can be had from the steps from the back of the Palazzo Senatorio, the Capitoline Hill behind the Arch of Septimus Severus, and the terrace of the Palatine Hill.
Listed below are some of the most notable monuments in the Roman Forum, in alphabetical order by name. Some monuments have separate articles as well - follow the links for more details.
Arch of Septimus Severus (203 AD)
Dating from 203 AD, the Arch of Septimius Severus celebrates the emperor's victories in modern-day Iran and Iraq. Covered with reliefs of battle scenes, the arch is located at the west end of the Roman forum, at the foot of the Capitoline Hill.
Arch of Titus (81 AD)
The Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito) stands in a slightly elevated position on a spur of the Palatine Hill at the entrance to the Forum. Now cleaned and restored, the arch was erected in 81 AD, shortly after the emperor's death, to celebrate the 70 AD sack of Jerusalem after the great Jewish revolt. It is decorated with reliefs depicting Roman soldiers carrying away treasures from the Jewish temple. Full article...
Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (c.310 AD)
This massive brick building with coffered ceilings served as the public law court under Emperor Maxentius (306-10 AD) and his successor Constantine, the first Christian emperor. It was the original home of the famous colossal statue of Constantine that is now on display in the Capitoline Museums. Early Christian churches were based on the design of Roman basilicas like this one, and it is said that Michelangelo studied the Basilica of Maxentiuswhile designing the dome for St. Peter's Basilica.
Column of Phocas (608 AD)
The Column of Phocas was erected in 608 AD in the Roman Forum in honor of a brutal Byzantine centurion who ruled as emperor from 602 to 610 after assassinating Emperor Maurice and his five sons. In 610, two years after this column was erected, Phocas was deposed and tortured to death.
The column is mostly a reused monument from the 4th century, which itself had recycled the column from an earlier monument. The fluted Corinthian column is made of Proconnesian marble and rises 50 Roman feet (14.8m) high. Its Corinthian capital is in a mid-2nd-century style. The only elements added in 608 AD were an inscription and the statue of Phocas at the top (now missing).
The dedicatory inscription on the north side of the monument's pedestal reads:
To our best, most gracious, most pious lord Phocas, supreme commander in perpetuity, crowned by God, triumphant, emperor for ever. Smaragdus, previously praepositor at the Palatium, patrician and exarch of Italy, devoted to his Grace because of the innumerable benefactions of his piety, the peace brought to Italy and liberty preserved, placed this shining statue of His Majesty on top of this sublime column to his perennial glory, on August 1, 608.
Decennalia Base (303 AD)
Discovered in 1547, the Decennalia Base (Base dei Decennali) has been re-erected near its original position in the Rostra of the Imperial Forum. It is part of a set of five honorary columns erected in 303 AD for Diocletian's first visit to Rome on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his reign and the 10th anniversary of the Tetrarchy (a four-emperor system).
The columns were monoliths in pink Aswan marble; fragments can be seen on the ground north of the custodian's hut. The middle column had a statue of Jupiter, the others carried statues of the four emperors.
All four sides of the base are decorated with high-quality reliefs in Proconnesian marble. The front side shows two winged Victories holding a medallion reading "Happy Tenth Anniversary of the Caesars."
The left side depicts a procession of Roman senators in ornately folded togas; the right shows a bull, sheep and pig being led to sacrifice. On the back is the emperor making a sacrifice as he is crowned by a winged Victory and the gods Mars, Roma and Sol Invictus look on.
House of the Vestal Virgins (3rd-4th c.)
Now partially reconstructed next to the Temple of Vesta, the House of the Vestal Virgins was the residence of young priestesses tasked with tending the sacred flame. Flanked by statues of women, it is a rectangular structure with a rectangular pool inside. Chosen from Roman patrician families at a young age, the virgins served at the temple for 30 years: 10 to learn; 10 to perform her duties; and 10 to teach novices. The women enjoyed high status in Roman society, but suffered severe penalties for failing to perform their duties. If a vestal virgin let the flame go out, she was flogged by the high priest; if she lost her virginity, she was buried alive.
Lapis Niger
Located behind the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Lapis Niger ("Black Stone") is an ancient black marble stone indicating a sacred place. It was traditionally said to be the tomb of Romulus, but is now known to be a sanctuary of Vulcan.
Santi Cosma e Damiano (527 AD)
Built in the early 6th century AD, the Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano (Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian) is the oldest church in the Forum. It adjoins the Temple of Jupiter Stator (which can be viewed through a glass wall in the back) and features original early Christian mosaics in the apse. Entrance is from the Via dei Forii Imperiali above the Forum. Full article...
Santa Maria Antigua (6th c.)
The church of Santa Maria Antiqua was built in the Forum around the middle of the 6th century, maybe under the papacy of Justin II (565-78). Converted from existing Roman structures, the church housed a venerated icon of Santa Maria Antiqua, which is now in the church of Santa Francesca Romana. In the 8th century, its interior was richly adorned with Byzantine-style wall paintings.
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (141 AD)
Dedicated to the Emperor Antoninus (d.161 AD) and his wife Faustina (d.141 AD), this well-preserved temple retains 10 large columns of its pronaos (porch) approached by a flight of steps. It was converted into the church of San Lorenzo in Miranda in medieval times and received a Baroque facade in 1602.
Temple of Caesar (29 BC)
Located across the Via Sacra from the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina/San Lorenzo in Miranda, the Temple of Julius Caesar retains just a curved wall with a roof. Built in 29 BC by the Emperor Augustus, it probably stands on the site where the Caesar's body was cremated after his assassination in 44 BC.
Temple of Concord
Located next to the Temple of Vespasian, the Temple of Concord was built in the 4th century BC to commemorate a peace agreement between patricians and the plebs. It was reconstructed by Tiberius (7 BC -10 AD).
Temple of the Dioscuri (5th c. BC)
The Temple of Castor and Pollux (or Temple of the Dioscuri) was originally built in 484 BC and rebuilt by Tiberius in 6 AD. According to Greek and Roman mythology, Castor and Pollux were twin sons of Leda and Zeus (Jupiter) - Castor was born mortal and Pollux immortal. Three columns and part of the architrave stand today. Full article...
Temple of Jupiter Stator (4th c.)
Dating from the 4th century AD, the round Temple of Jupiter Stator (a.k.a. Temple of Divus Romulus) is almost entirely intact and retains its original bronze doors (early 300s AD). Visitors may not enter the temple, but its excavated interior can be clearly viewed from a full-length glass wall in the church of Santi Cosma e Damiano.
Temple of Saturn (497 BC)
Located at the west end of Roman Forum, the Temple of Saturn was originally erected in 497 BC and later rebuilt in 360-80 AD. It served as the public treasury and was the focus of the popular December festival of Saturnalia. Today it consists of eight columns of the pronaos, or porch, standing on travertine blocks. Some of the substructure below the temple stairs can be seen; this may have been where the treasury was housed. Full article...
Temple of Vespasian and Titus (80-85 AD)
Only three Corinthian columns remain of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus at the west end of the Roman Forum. It was built c.80-85 AD to the deified emperors Vespasian (d. 79 AD) and Titus (d. 81 AD). Full article...
Temple of Vesta
The Temple of Vesta was a small round temple recalling the huts of the original Latin settlers of Rome. It enshrined a sacred flame symbolizing the perpetuity of the Roman state, which was carefully tended by the Vestal Virgins. Also housed inside was a statue of Pallas Athena known as the Palladium, said to have been taken from Troy by Aeneas.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Roman Forum; Foro Romano |
| Location: | Rome, Italy |
| Faith: | Ancient Roman |
| Categories: | City Ruins; Roman Temples; World Heritage Sites |
| Architecture: | Roman |
| Date: | 5th century BC - 7th century AD |
| Features: | Change of Religion |
| Status: | ruins |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Via dei Fori Imperiali, 00186 Rome, Italy |
| Coordinates: | 41.891955° N, 12.486595° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Public transport: | Metro: Colosseo Bus: 60, 75, 85, 87, 95, or 175 |
| Opening hours: | Oct 30-Feb 15: daily 8:30am-4:30pm Feb 16-Mar 15: daily 8:30am-5pm Mar 16-26: daily 8:30am-5:30pm Mar 27-Aug 31: daily 8:30am-7:15pm Sep: daily 8:30am-7pm Oct 1-29: daily 8:30am-6:30pm Last admission 1 hour before closing. Closed on public holidays. |
| Cost: | Admission €9; ticket includes same-day admission to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. |
| Official tours: | Daily at 1pm (€4) |
Travel Resources
- Rome Map - our detailed interactive map of Rome, plus hand-picked links to more
- Rome Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Rome Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Rome
- Rome Car Rentals - enjoy more travel freedom by picking up a car in Rome
- Rome Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article Sources
- Personal visit (April 16, 2008).
- Amanda Claridge, Judith Toms, Tony Cubberley, Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide (Oxford University Press, 1998), 61-146.
- Alta Macadam and Ellen Grady, Blue Guide Central Italy with Rome and Florence, 1st ed. (Somerset: Blue Guides Limited, 2008), 31-37.
- Roman Forum (Foro Romano), Palatine Hill (Palatino), and Palatine Museum (Museo Palatino) - Frommer's Rome
Last updated on December 6, 2009.
