All You Need to Know About the Roman Forum | A Definitive Guide

Explore the Cloaca Maxima, one of ancient Rome’s greatest sewers. This engineering marvel showcases Rome's advanced infrastructure. It served to drain nearby marshes as well as remove waste. Later, public baths and latrines were also connected to its network.

The Rostra, or speaker's platform, was the podium from which riveting speeches were made before an eager audience. It was also here that Caesar's funeral speech was made by Antony. Much of what we see of the Rostra today are the results of early 20th-century restoration efforts.

Revered as the "Black Stone," Lapis Niger conceals a shrine between the Curia Julia and the Arch of Septimius Severus. This enigmatic artifact is believed to be the tomb of Romulus (Rome’s founder). It contains one of the oldest inscriptions in Latin.

The tabularium was a repository of ancient Rome’s repository of public records and offices of many city officials. It also contained the written remnants of laws and deeds. It is a commanding structure within the Forum and you can ascend it for panoramic vistas.

Previously, the Basilica Julia housed court rooms and conducted legal proceedings under its roof. This large, ornate building was also used to settle matters of inheritance. In sum, it was Rome's judicial hub. The Basilica was once burnt down to the ground, and has been rebuilt several times since.

Dedicated to the goddess of the hearth, the Temple of Vesta was home to the Vestal Virgins. They had to ensure that the eternal flame inside the temple never went out — as a marker of Rome's everlasting prosperous rule. The interiors are circular, intending to face the sun, the archetypal hearth.

The Curia Julia was a Senate house that was the seat of Rome's political power. Although several fires ravaged Curia Julia, it was rebuilt many times. In 1938, Mussolini restored the Curia to commemorate the 2000th birth anniversary of Augustus, Rome's first emperor.

After the temples of Vesta and Jupiter, the Temple of Saturn is the oldest sacred site in Rome. This site was also the treasury of the Roman empire, storing its gold and silver reserves. This was because Saturn was associated with agriculture. Eight of its majestic columns are still standing.

The temple was commissioned by Augustus after Caesar's death and marks his grave. Only the altar remains, and fresh flowers are placed to pay homage even today. People from world over visit to honor a figure whose impact transcended his time.

The Comitium witnessed political debates and public gatherings that shaped Rome's destiny. This was the spot where civic life unfurled, with discussions spanning religion. philosophy, etc.

One of the most mysterious elements within the Forum, Lacus Curtius, was allegedly a lake bed that was rumoured to be the entry to the underworld. This unassuming spot is now filled up.

Stroll under the Arch of Septimius Severus, a triumphant gateway that is adorned proudly with Roman spoils of war. The arches contain richly decorated scenes from victories against Parthia, now modern Iran. Passing through this arch is meant to evoke the glory of Roman triumphs.