Nearly one thousand years after its gradual construction, the present-day site of the Forum Romanum is furnished with the haphazard remains of ancient urban life and architecture.
Utilizing Google maps' "street view" and "satellite view" features, we can observe a visual rendering of the Forum's ruins. Unfortunately, Google maps does not offer a "street view" of all the areas in the Forum. However, the panoramic photographs they provide instead, combined with a satellite view of the Forum, does allow for sufficient navigation. Then, by applying a suggested tour route from the popular travel guidebook, Frommer's Rome, we will be able intimately experience the Forum Romanum, from the comfort of our homes!
Frommer's insightful commentary rarely concerns his reader with subjective observations of the Forum; instead, we are encouraged to imaginatively resurrect each ruin, according to the guide's competent historical descriptions of their context and original design.
Accommodating to the fact that the Forum "consists of artfully evocative ruins scattered confusingly around a sun-baked terrain," (Frommer's Rome, Walking Tour 1) Frommer's identifies the unique characteristics of each site, defusing any potential disorientation.
I have mapped out our tour route according to Frommer's suggestions. The directions outlined in the guide book will be echoed as we arrive at each site, using Frommer's own words (I hope this will help exemplify how coherently he pilots us through the Forum). Now let's begin...
1. Via Sacra
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| "Arriving at the Via Sacra, turn right, heading toward the Arch of Septimius Severus." |
Frommer's describes the Via Sacra as an ancient road that ran through the Forum. Educating us on the original function of the Forum, Frommer's concludes that the site's dignity comes from what it represents: the austerity of Roman power. This context provides us with a basis of understanding as we embark on our exploration of each ruin.
2. Basilica Aemilia
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| "The random columns on the right belong to the Basilica Aemilia." |
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| "At the corner nearest the Forum entrance are some traces of melted bronze decoration that was fused to the marble floor during a great fire set by invading Goths in A.D. 410." |
Our first stop on the tour is described by Frommer's as once being the site of great meeting halls and shops.
3. Curia, or Senate House
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| "The Curia, or Senate House is the large brick building on the right that still has its roof." |
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| "The original floor of Egyptian marble and the tiers that held the seats of the senators have miraculously survived. In addition, at the far end of the great chamber we can see the stone on which rested the fabled golden statue of Victory." |
The ancient function of this hall as a political meeting site is credited by Frommer's as influencing our present legislative system. A brief history of the Roman Senate is also given, to put the building in context.
4. Lapis Niger
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| "Head down the Curia stairs to the Lapis Niger. These are the remains of black marble blocks that reputedly mark the tomb of Romulus." |
The limiting function of Google maps barred us from following Frommer's suggestion to go downstairs to the excavated tomb, which houses the oldest Latin inscription in existence. Nonetheless, the factual description of the Lapis Niger as Romulus' tomb marker will suffice to entice our interest. However, a historical description here could help more ignorant travelers understand the tomb's importance.
5. Arch of Septimius Severus
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| "Across from the Curia, you'll see the Arch of Septimius Severus. The friezes on the arch depict victories over Arabs and Parthians." |
This site, in contrast to Lapis Niger, is given a rich historical review, with Frommer's explaining that the arch was dedicated to the last decent emperor to govern Rome in the troubled 3rd century. We can begin to understand how the Arch was patriotically constructed in a time where the Romans needed hope, as they fell into the hands of subsequent emperors.
6. Rosta
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| "Amid the rubble, can be discerned a semicircular stair that led to the famous Rostra. This was the podium from which dictators and Caesars addressed the throngs on the Forum below." |
Frommer's gives a detailed description of the Rosta's historical function, urging us to conceptualize how invigorating it would have been witness the emperor speaking on this podium to a mass of citizens.
7. Basilica Julia
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| "Going to the left, you'll come to the ruins of the Basilica Julia. Little more than a foundation remains." |
We are informed that Julius Caesar dedicated the first structure, and the last one dates from the days after the Gothic invasion in A.D. 410. It historically operated for the hearing of civil court cases, and Frommer's mentions it was notoriously hot in the summer months (something which we might empathize with if we were physically taking this tour, basking in the Roman sun).
8. Column Of Phocas
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| "Walking back down the ruined stairs of the Basilica Julia and into the broad area whose far side is bounded by the Curia, you'll see the Column of Phocas. Probably lifted from an early structure in the vicinity, this was the last monument to be erected in the Roman Forum." |
To understand the importance of this column, Frommer's explains that it commemorates the Byzantine Emperor Phocas' generous donation to the pope of Rome, making it one of the few non-pagan buildings in the Forum.
9. Temple of Julius Casesar
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| "Now make your way down the middle of the Forum, nearly back to the ramp from which you entered. The pile of bricks with a semicircular indentation that stand in the middle of things was the Temple of Julius Caesar." |
Since little remains of the original building, it is difficult to visualize how it may have looked and functioned in its time. Frommer's mentions that it was quite an elegant building, as confirmed by the reconstruction models.
10. Temple of the Castors
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| "With the entrance of the Forum to your left, you'll see on your right three columns originally belonging to the Temple of Castors." |
The legend of twins Castor and Pollux is described by Frommer's, to help us understand why the Romans, specifically, would wish to dedicate a temple in their honour.
11. Temple of Vesta
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| "Within this circular monument dwelt the sacred flame of Rome and the Atrium of the Vestal Virgins." |
Frommer's renders the ruins to be inconceivably rich in their time, and goes on to explain the culture of the Vestal Virgins who dwelt here.
12. Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
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| "With your back to the Palatine, look beyond those fragmented statues of the former vestals to the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. It's the building with the free-standing colonnade just to the right of the ramp where you first entered the Forum." |
Inconsistent with the rest of the guide, not much historical context is given to this temple by Frommer's, which only mentions that the building behind it is a much later church, and the colonnade is the only thing dating from imperial times.
13. Temple of Romulus
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| "Head up the Via Sacra away from the entrance ramp toward the Arch of Titus. Pretty soon, on your left, you'll see the twin bronze doors of the Temple of Romulus." |
Frommer's emphasizes the bronze doors, noting that they are the original. A brief clarification that the temple was named for its builder, Emperor Maxentius' son, Romulus, is provided. Because Maxentius was threatened by future Christian emperor, Constantine, this building was erected in an attempt to dictate antiquarian patriotism.
14. Basilica of Constantine
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| "Those three gaping arches up ahead on your left were part of the Basilica of Constantine." |
According to Frommer's, the scale of this basilica is consistent with the ego of the emperor with whose name it is affixed. While he encourages us to admire the engineering skill of the building, we are forced to consider what this building would have represented for Constantine: reaffirmation of his power as the first Christian ruler of Rome.
15. The Arch of Titus
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| "Follow the Roman paving stones of Via Sacra to a low hill just ahead, where you'll find the Arch of Titus." |
Serving as an alternate entrance to the Forum, the Arch of Titus marks our exit from the Forum. In uniform with Frommer's description of the Arch of Septimius Severus, a background of Titus' influence as a victorious emperor confirms inspiration for this patriarchal arch.
WORKS CITED:
Darwin, Porter. "Frommer's Rome." www.frommers.com/destinations/rome.
IMAGES
Figure 1: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xmSyex2Znx8qwDk2lsrieg
Figure 2. http://www.vroma.org/images/jwalker_images/jw-40.jpg
Figure 3. http://www.vroma.org/~forum/images/curia.good.jpg
Figure 4. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Inside_Restored_Senate_House%28Curia%29_FORUM_11Mar2006.JPG/400px-
Figure 5. Inside_Restored_Senate_House%28Curia%29_FORUM_11Mar2006.JPG.
Figure 6. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Inside_Restored_Senate_House%28Curia%29_FORUM_11Mar2006.JPG/400px-
Figure 7. Inside_Restored_Senate_House%28Curia%29_FORUM_11Mar2006.JPG.
Figure 8. https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/80809496
Figure 9. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2707870371_5b65c5b549.jpg
Figure 10. http://www.motorcyclemeanders.com/images/rome_forum_julia.JPG?513
Figure 11. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/323881672_4df2dae627.jpg
Figure 12. https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/79814942
Figure 13. http://www.hitxp.com/pics/temple-of-vesta.jpg
Figure 14. http://static.flickr.com/111/266874480_bdc8b8b0d2_o.jpg
Figure 15. https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/48633492
Figure 16. http://faculty.evansville.edu/rl29/art105/img/rome_constbasilica.jpg
Figure 17. http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/markdroberts/files/2012/06/arch-titus-rome-8.jpg
