Echoes of an Empire: Breaking Down the History of the Roman Forum
- Clare Meyers
- Jun 9, 2023
- 4 min read
Written by Clare Meyers
Between the Palatine and Capitoline hills of Rome, the wind whispers of an ancient society as it blows through what is left of the Roman Forum. While it exists now only as a set of crumbling ruins, this archaeological wonderland was once the he political and commercial center of ancient Rome. Famous assassinations, political uprisings, and sacred religious ceremonies, are just some of the stories whispered by the weathered arches and temples— whispers that ensnare and fascinate curious tourists from all across the world.
The Origins: 6th-7th Century BC
The tale of the Roman Forum began sometime in the 6th century BC when Rome was just a tiny village on the banks of the Tiber River. As the story goes, the Forum was born from a peace pact between former rivals Romulus, the leader of Rome, and Titus Tatius, the king of the Sabines. After mending fences, the two established the Forum as a sort of open-air market between their two domains. Over time, however, the Romans gradually started using the Forum for more political purposes. One building in particular, the Curia Hostilia, became one of the first senate houses of the Republic.
The Roman Republic
While it started with the Curia Hostilia, the Forum grew to become the political nucleus of the city during the Roman Republic. The Senate bought out many of the surrounding homes and erected office buildings, temples, and basilicas in their place. Some of the more notable structures include the Rostra, the Temple of Saturn, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
The Rostra, named for the beaks of captured warships that adorned it, served as the central stage where politicians and orators addressed the people. Here, the legendary orator Cicero delivered the influential speeches that helped earn him a spot in the history books.
The Temple of Saturn, dedicated to the Roman god of wealth and agriculture, housed the treasury and symbolized Rome's prosperity. Meanwhile, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, dedicated to the divine twin brothers, served as a hub for religious ceremonies and celebrations.
During this era, the Forum also bore witness to the momentous betrayal that would eventually turn into a celebrated Shakespearean play. Yes, it was in the Forum’s Curia of Pompey that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, sparking a chain of events that led to the end of the Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
During the spring and summer months, wildflowers grow rampant between the ruins
The Age of Emperors
After the death of Julius Cesar, the power shifted away from a representative democracy and became an empire when Julius’s nephew, Augustus Caesar, established himself as the emperor of Rome. During this transition, the Roman Forum continued to evolve and expand. The Julian Basilica, initiated by Julius and completed by Augustus, served as a law court and administrative center, growing the power of the Roman legal system.
Another notable addition was the Temple of Caesar, which was constructed by Augustus to honor Julius. This temple became a site of veneration, where citizens would come to worship the imperial family. Its existence solidified the imperial cult and served as a physical monument of the imperial family’s wealth, power, and influence.
A century later, Emperor Hadrian, ordered the construction of The Temple of Venus, which celebrated both the goddess of love and the city itself. With the exception of the Pantheon, this was Rome’s largest religious temple, which served to showcase the emperor's devotion to the eternal city.
Toward the end of the 2nd century, Emperor Septimius Severus built the Arch of Septimius Severus to commemorate his victory against the Parthians. This 23-meter white marble arch is one of the most intact structures today. Carved into the top of the arch are a pair of winged victories, which are symbolic of the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria.
“If you look closely at the shape of the wings and imagine them flipped over a horizontal axis, you might find that they look like the Nike symbol,” said tour guide Elena van Hees as she gestured to the arch.
“In fact, Victoria is the Roman equivalent to Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and the famous Nike brand icon is actually inspired by the shape of her wings. This goes to show that the art and stories from ancient times are still present in some form in our lives today” van Hees said.
The End of the Empire
After over 1,000 years, the Roman civilization eventually came to an end when the Empire fell in 476 AD. And with the fall of the Empire came the fall of the Forum. The area soon became abandoned, and natural disasters, including fires and earthquakes, struck, damaging its structures.
After over 1,000 years, the Roman civilization eventually came to an end when the Empire fell in 476 AD. And with the fall of the Empire came the fall of the Forum. The area soon became abandoned, and natural disasters, including fires and earthquakes, struck, damaging its structures.
“During the years that followed, many of the structures were looted by the Aristocrats and popes,” van Hees said.
“Instead of importing and mining materials to construct their new buildings, it was much easier for them to tear down parts of the Forum and recycle it, especially the marble.”
Besides being used as a source of raw materials, the Forum was largely left to waste during this time.
The Renaissance and Rediscovery
The Forum lay largely forgotten for centuries until the start of the Renaissance, when artists, architects, and historians became interested in the ruins. They began excavations in the 18th century, and ancient Rome became a source of inspiration for Renaissance masters, who incorporated elements from the Forum into their works.
The Forum Today
Thanks to the work of generations of archaeologists, the ruins of the Roman Forum, together with the nearby Colosseum and Palatine Hill, form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which draws millions of visitors from around the globe.
One such visitor was Neven Giehl.
“As a lifelong historian, I feel so blessed to finally be here walking the same road as the ancient Romans,” said the Croatian native.
Niel is not the only one.
As visitors wind through the ruins of the Forum, their ears strain to capture the whispers of voices lost to time. It is here, amidst the tourist-filled ruins, that the legacy of the Roman Forum lives on, inspiring awe and an enduring appreciation of ancient Rome in the hearts of all who care to listen.
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