Roman Forum – Colosseum Rome Tickets

How to Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill? A Guide to Making Sense of It All Without Ruin Fatigue

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 03:34:10 +0000

When you leave the imposing silhouette of the Colosseum (Amphitheatrum Flavium) behind and cross Via dei Fori Imperiali, you’ll encounter a vast valley spread between the Capitoline and Palatine hills. It’s filled with ruined columns, massive broken arches, and piles of stone that seem completely nameless at first glance. This is the Roman Forum (Forum Romanum)–the absolute heart of the ancient world and the center of administration, law, religion, and trade for the Roman Empire. Today, it’s recognized as one of the most valuable treasures on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Historic Centre of Rome list.

Of course, you could just walk in and try to examine every single stone. But how do you map out an efficient route without getting lost in this massive open-air labyrinth–where directional signs are incredibly scarce and shaded areas are almost nonexistent–and without burning out under the Roman sun?

The main problem visitors face when exploring ancient ruins is “ruin fatigue”. This is a state of cognitive overload where the brain, exposed to too much visual stimulation, eventually starts blurring every historical detail together. If you don’t establish a solid field strategy and topographical plan, it’s inevitable that you’ll remember one of the world’s most important archaeological parks as nothing more than an exhausting, confusing, and sweltering walking trail. The real answer travelers are looking for when they search “how to navigate the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill” isn’t just map-reading skills. They need “insider” tactics based on actual field experience, detailing how and in what order to read the site. So, how can you conquer this historical chaos without getting tired or bored, unlocking the meaning behind every single stone?

Roman Forum Entry Strategy: Common Visitor Mistakes and Ideal Routes

The most common logistical mistake that drains your time and energy is falling for the “physical proximity” illusion and following the crowd out of herd psychology. The vast majority of visitors plunge straight into the chaos of the ancient city through the Largo della Salara Vecchia or the Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito) entrances right across from the Colosseum the second they finish their tour.

While this might look practical at first glance, it’s a physically punishing route. When you use these entrances, you’re forced into a grueling uphill trek straight into the sun along the historic Via Sacra (Sacred Way). Dropping you directly into the most crowded and chronologically confusing spot, this move is the number one trigger for ruin fatigue.

Visitors walking along the Via Sacra in the Roman Forum on a sunny day in Rome. Photographer: Fernando Uyaguari

The rational field strategy used by truly experienced travelers and Roman historians is completely different. Once you leave the Colosseum area, leave the massive crowds at the ticket booths behind, walk past the Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino), and head south down Via di San Gregorio for just four minutes. As you stroll along this peaceful, tree-lined street, you’ll spot the entrance to Palatine Hill (Mons Palatinus) on your right. We strongly advise starting your visit at this gate for a major strategic advantage. When you enter here, your entire route will be downhill from start to finish, letting gravity do the work. Plus, this entry point is a much more accessible and inclusive option for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers, offering easier access to the site’s elevator connections.

Starting at Palatine Hill gives you a calmer entry point–and an easier, mostly downhill route. Photographer: Jeff Whyte.

By using this gate, you kick off your tour on Palatine Hill–the exact place where Rome’s legendary founders, Romulus and Remus, began their story, and where post-Republic emperors like Augustus and Domitian built their colossal palaces (Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana). When you reach the terrace of the 16th-century Farnese Gardens (Orti Farnesiani) at the summit, the entire Roman Forum unfolds beneath your feet in a spectacular panorama. Once you’ve mentally mapped out the area’s general layout and physical bird’s-eye view, you can walk downhill, moving against the crowds, and easily reach the heart of the ancient city without breaking a sweat.

The smartest way to “read” the Forum is to map it from above before descending into the ruins. Photographer: Max Skorokhod

The Power of Storytelling and Free Alternatives

Making sense of this massive archaeological park on your own is way more exhausting than it sounds. Wandering through the Roman Forum with nothing but an open guidebook or a webpage is no different from trying to solve a giant puzzle with missing pieces under the scorching summer sun. No matter how much you read, it’s hard to instantly grasp whether that massive marble block on the ground was once a step to the Senate building, a ruined column of the Basilica Aemilia, or just an ordinary ancient market stall (Tabernae).

But when you explore the site with a true storyteller–a licensed, professional guide who knows the area inside out–those seemingly random, scattered stones will instantly transform in your mind into a magnificent, three-dimensional ancient city.

Your expert guide won’t just point at an empty space; they’ll bring to life the exact spot where Julius Caesar’s body was cremated, the triumphal processions of victorious generals down the Via Sacra, and the heated debates of senators at the Rostra podiums. In reality, you aren’t just buying a tour here; you’re buying a vision that lets you look at bare stone and see the original building and the atmosphere of the era. To avoid wasting hours in exhausting ticket lines and to turn the ruins into a real story in your mind, we highly recommend booking a Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Priority Guided Tour. This step will ensure you channel your energy in the right direction.

However, to be completely honest and transparent, private guided tours can put a dent in your travel budget. If you want to plan your trip more economically, you can download the completely free Parco Colosseo mobile app provided by official authorities, or listen to free audio guide podcasts from travel experts like Rick Steves. While these digital alternatives don’t offer the interactive Q&A perks of a live guide, they’re fantastic options that let you explore at your own pace while protecting your budget.

Current Ticket Prices, Official Channels, and Strict Visiting Rules

The answers to “What is the Roman Forum, where is it, and how much is the entrance fee?” are quite straightforward. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill make up the ancient administrative center located in the valley between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia in downtown Rome, combined into a massive archaeological park under a single ticket umbrella.To perfect your planning, be sure to check the Official Tourism Site of the Municipality of Rome for temporary exhibitions and general itinerary announcements before your trip.

To avoid paying commission fees and to snag the most cost-effective option, your first stop should always be the Parco archeologico del Colosseo Official Website. As of 2026, the current standard ticket price on the official site is around 18 Euros (excluding the minor online booking fees added by the system). This standard ticket guarantees you a timed-entry reservation to the Colosseum and a one-time entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill area that you can use within 24 hours.

You can click here to access our page for detailed information about Colosseum ticket types.

If your trip happens to fall on the first Sunday of the month, keep in mind that entry is completely free under the “Domenica al Museo” (Sunday at the Museum) initiative.However, the extreme crowds on these days will easily double your ruin fatigue. But if you can stretch your budget and time a bit further, we highly recommend grabbing the 24 Euro Full Experience ticket. These comprehensive tickets grant you access to enclosed spaces protected by special climate control systems, known as S.U.P.E.R. (Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome). Boasting incredibly well-preserved frescoes, exclusive spots like the House of Livia, the House of Augustus, and the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua are fantastic hidden sanctuaries that most tourists don’t even know exist.

The most critical rule to watch out for when buying your tickets is the “nominative ticket” (ID matching) requirement. Implemented to stop scalping and strictly enforced in 2026, this rule dictates that the names you enter during purchase must perfectly match the names on the official ID or passport you present at security. If you use a nickname or leave a name incomplete, site staff will absolutely deny you entry. Plus, the chances of finding physical tickets at the door are virtually zero; all reservations must be made online in advance. Since tickets on the official site can sell out weeks ahead due to limited capacity, we recommend securing your spots through authorized agents (please double-check their official status) selling Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Fast Track Tickets. Paying a small service fee to eliminate the risk of being left outside is a completely legitimate Plan B.

Field Tips to Prevent Ruin Fatigue

Once you understand the topography of the ancient park, you need to maintain your physical stamina. Here are the essential rules you should follow to use your energy efficiently in this massive, millennia-old open-air museum:

Use Water Sources Effectively (Nasoni System): The most common mistake visitors make is showing up unprepared. To protect the archaeological landscape, you won’t find commercial kiosks selling bottled water or snacks inside. Make absolutely sure to pack a refillable water bottle or an insulated thermos in your bag. On Palatine Hill and in specific corners of the Forum, you’ll spot historic cast-iron fountains known as Nasoni. Running on a network inherited from Rome’s ancient aqueducts, these fountains provide a constant flow of ice-cold, completely drinkable water–and it’s 100% free.

Refill for free at the Nasoni fountains–hydration is your best defense against ruin fatigue. Photographer: Uunal

The Reality of the Ground and Choosing the Right Footwear: The paths beneath your feet aren’t made of smooth, modern marble. The ground is a mix of thousands-of-years-old original basalt blocks, uneven dirt trails, and worn cobblestones called Sanpietrini. Wearing thin-soled sandals or stylish shoes with zero arch support will cause serious fascial pain (like plantar fasciitis) in your feet within the first hour of your visit. Opting for high-quality walking shoes with thick soles, excellent shock absorption, and a solid grip isn’t just a suggestion–it’s a medical necessity.

Beautiful underfoot, brutal on thin soles–proper walking shoes make or break your day. Photographer: Viacheslav Lopatin

Timing Optimization and Beating the Sun: Keep in mind that, especially in late spring and summer, shade is incredibly scarce in the Roman Forum (save for a few spots like the massive arches of the Basilica of Maxentius). Midday is when the Roman sun is at its most brutal and the crowds hit their peak. Because the ancient stones reflect the heat back at you (the albedo and microclimate effect), the entire area literally turns into an oven. Plan your visit either around 8:30 AM when the gates first open, or after 3:30 PM when the sun starts losing its bite. That late afternoon light casts golden tones across the marble (the “golden hour”), offering a flawless atmosphere for photographers.
Security Checks and Bag Sizes: At the entrance, you’ll go through a strict security checkpoint equipped with airport-standard metal detectors and X-ray machines. Under the rules, you aren’t allowed to bring large backpacks, suitcases, professional tripods, drones, or glass bottles into the site. Furthermore, there are no storage lockers available to leave your belongings. To avoid getting turned away at the gate, you should only bring a small crossbody bag holding your bare essentials (passport,water,sunscreen).

Key Points Not to Miss When Planning Your Route

Instead of wasting your energy on every nameless column or minor detail, you can completely eliminate mental fatigue by building your route around these key historical highlights:

Curia Julia (Roman Senate Building): While much of the Forum has been leveled by centuries of destruction, the Curia Julia is one of the rare buildings that has survived into the modern era with its massive original brick structure intact, thanks to a restoration during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. When you step inside, you can see the original Opus Sectile (geometric patterned colored marble) floors where the most powerful senators of the era held heated debates and determined the fate of the empire. The simplicity and grandeur of these four walls–which served as the administrative hub for both the Republic and the Empire–make this the perfect spot to grasp the sheer scale of the Roman bureaucratic system.

A perfect “anchor monument” to understand how Rome’s political power once functioned. Photographer: MiEcBo

Altar of Julius Caesar (Templum Divi Iulii): This is the exact spot where the Roman public ceremonially cremated Julius Caesar following his assassination in 44 BC (on the day known as the Ides of March). Although the temple itself–built by Augustus to honor his adoptive father–has largely been destroyed, the remains of the makeshift altar are still meticulously preserved today. If you look closely, you’ll see that visitors from all over the world leave fresh flowers and coins on these stones every single day to pay their respects to the legendary leader.
House and Temple of the Vestal Virgins (Atrium Vestae): This is the massive complex where six elite priestesses lived. Reporting directly to the Pontifex Maximus (High Priest), they were tasked with keeping the city’s sacred fire burning under ancient Roman religious beliefs. With its central courtyard featuring a water basin and surrounded by original statues of the Vestales, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-understand structures on the site, offering a nice, partial escape from the Forum crowds.
Domus Tiberiana and Imperial Ramps: Exploring these massive structures–built to provide vertical access between Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum–offers incredible insight into the power of both topography and Roman engineering. As you walk down the dimly lit imperial ramps (Clivus Victoriae) beneath the Domus Tiberiana, which recently reopened at full capacity after decades of restoration, you’re stepping through the exact same colossal corridors an emperor used two thousand years ago to descend to Senate meetings without mingling with the crowds.

Instead of wandering lost on unmarked paths and burning through your energy under the sun like an ordinary tourist, the experience of this ancient city changes completely when you enter through the right gate and focus on the real stories behind the stones using official sources. When you rely on strategic planning rather than surrendering to ruin fatigue, every step you take while feeling the spirit of the place (Genius Loci) transforms into an unforgettable discovery in one of the most fascinating locations in world history.

Thanks for reading!

Featured Image Credit: WichoPics

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The Lapis Niger

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 09:22:04 +0000

The Lapis Niger, or ‘Black Stone’, a slab of black marble, lies in the Comitium to the right of the Arch of Septimius Severus, protected by a low roof. A fenced site with black paving identifies the spot where the Lapis Niger, a piece of black marble, was found.

The black marble pavement however seems to date to the late republican period, in commemoration of the disastrous profanation of the site during the Gaulic invasion of 390 B.C.

Below it is an inaccessible subterranean room which in the Middle Ages was thought to contain the grave of Romulus. Next to it is a tufa column discovered during excavations in 1899 (by Giacomo Boni). It is the oldest known monumental inscription in Latin Language and dates to the 6th century B.C.

The inscribed stone found beneath the “lapis niger” in front of the curia in Roman Forum is a part of an ancient shrine to Vulcan. It is thought to be a warning not to disturb the shrine. The inscription is obscure; parts of it are missing, and it is written in an archaic alphabet. The letters are close to old Greek in form.

Latin Inscription

Translation of the Latin Inscription of Lapis Niger. Source (click)

The inscription on the original stone, part of a shrine, dedicates it to a king and curses anyone who should disturb the shrine. In the 1st century BC, it was replaced with a black marble pavement.

Myth at the Heart of the Roman Empire: The Lapis Niger (Video)

Legendary Beginning of Rome

The legendary founding of the city in the year 753 BC (I ab urbe condita) was the beginning of the Roman calendar, although the mythological foundation date of the »urbs quadrata« by Romulus and Remus was only determined by the historian Livy in the 1st century.

The landmark of the city is the Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus. Capitoline Museums.

He reports that the fugitive Aeneas landed in Italy after the Trojan War and founded Alba Longa, where King Numitor would later rule. His daughter Rhea Silvia, obliged to remain celibate and childless as a priestess in the Temple of Vesta, bore the twins Romulus and Remus, who were fathered by Mars, the god of war.

Then Amulius, Rhea’s evil uncle, who had meanwhile usurped the crown, imprisoned his niece and abandoned the twins in the marshes below the Palatine hill. Here they were nursed by a she-wolf and later found by a shepherd, who raised them. As young heroes, they re-established order by killing the tyrant Amulius and founding a new city on the Palatine hill on 21 April, 753 BC: Rome. Remus was struck dead by his brother during an argument over the borders of the city. Legend makes Romulus the first king of »Roma« – until the gods took him up to heaven, whereupon he was honored as the god Quirinus.

Lapis Niger to the Colosseum

Lapis Niger set in the Roman Forum, 0,65 km from (8 min walk) from Colosseum.

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Tabularium

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 22:32:14 +0000

The Tabularium was erected by Q. Lutatius Catulus in 78 B.C. The bronze tablets of laws and decrees are kept here. The Tabularium derives its name from bronze tabulae. Laws and official acts were engraved on these tablets. It is one of the few remains of the Republican era.

From the Tabularium we have a glorious view of the most celebrated spot of ancient Rome: stupendous temples, triumphal arches, monuments of every sort. Built in 78 B.C., the Tabularium held the state archives of Rome, and its mighty façade towered above the whole northern part of the Forum.

Tabularium began to be constructed after the fire that destroyed the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus in 83 BC. After the fire, the reconstruction of the big temple was entrusted to Quintus Lutatius Catulus (149–87 BC). He completed his job during his censorship, in 65 BC. During these years, Lucius Cornelius, recorded in a funerary inscription, probably helped him. Indeed, Lucius was the prefect and the architect in the years of the consulship of Lutatius Catulus.

View of the façade of the building from below at the Roman Forum, Rome.

Tabularium, Roman Forum, Rome

Judging from the remains of the preexisting buildings, it seems that the Tabularium substantially modified the slopes of the hill through the construction of a unique, solid retaining wall for this rise, clayey in nature. Thus, the bulk of the Tabularium is composed of foundation structures that create terracing along the slope of the hill. One could pass through the building to the Roman Forum by means of a steep staircase. From the Tabularium we have a glorious view of the most celebrated spot of ancient Rome: stupendous temples, triumphal arches, monuments of every sort.

View on the Forum Romanum in ancient Rome – from left; Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vespasian, Rostra, Temple of Concord, Arch of Septimius Severus and Tabularium in background. 1866 – Constant Moyaux (1835-1911).

In spite of the size and the importance of the construction, this building is not recorded in literary sources. Direct analysis of the remaining structures provides only information about the building. Interpretation is difficult because the building remained always in use. In the Roman period, maybe Flavian-Trajanic, the Tabularium underwent a thorough systematization. At this time, a hydraulic conduit was installed in the lower gallery, and the staircase leading toward the Forum was abandoned. Simultaneously, a masonry vault was inserted in the Temple of Veiovis.

The facade facing on the Roman Forum, 73 met. long, consists of a row of ten arches framed by Doric engaged columns behind which is a gallery divided into rooms covered with cloister vaults. Initially, it had a 2nd story with a porticoed exterior of Corinthian columns. Inside the base is a long passage that has 6 windows that face out on the Roman Forum.

In the periods following the Roman era, it seems that predators and quarrymen did not destroy the building. In fact, they destroyed other buildings on the hill, whereas the Tabularium was inhabited and fortified. In the Middle Ages one of the powerful Roman baronial families, the Corsi, built a fortress here using the remains of the ancient Tabularium and the Temple of Veiovis as a foundation. The medieval building, with four towers, was restored over time.

The remains of the colonnade belong to the portico of the Dei Consentes, dedicated to the council of the twelve highest gods of Rome and restored in A.D. 367. The foundations and the three Corinthian marble columns next to them are from the temple in honor of the deified emperors Vespasian and Titus.

Efforts by Romans to have their own civic government were repeatedly thwarted by the popes, and their one-time scheme to elect 11 municipal senators was reduced to one senator—of the pope’s choosing. In 12. century A.D., when the Romans rebelled against the Pope and imagined bring back Rome to its former glory, albeit only in the city and its environments, they chose the imposing ruins of the Tabularium as the site for a rebuilt Palazzo Senatorio (Senate). Later the Palazzo Senatorio was built on top of it. This palace was the meeting place of the Roman Senate, constituted in 1144, and residence of its symbolic leader, the Senator.

The palazzo has served as the seat of Rome’s civic administration since the 12th century. It is another example of Rome’s many-layered history—the facade conceals an earlier medieval fortress built on the vaulted walls of the first-century BC Tabularium.

In 1551 Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Paul III to transform the entire square and remodel the façade of the palace. His plans were carried out by Giacomo della Porta, Girolamo Rainaldi, and Carlo Rainaldi in 1582-1605. Today the mayor’s office and other administrative offices are housed here. Since a 1986 earthquake, the bell tower leans 20 inches to one side.

Constant Moyaux (1835-1910), Palazzo Sentorio overlooking the Forum. Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris.

The Palazzo Senatorio was enlarged and modified during the course of the following centuries. Various rooms dating to the Roman period were used in different ways according to necessity. Until the seventeenth century, they housed the usalara of the Capitoline Hill, kitchens, stables, services for the Senator, and prisons for those awaiting the judgment of the senatorial tribunal.

The Palazzo Senatorio was still standing when papal rule lastly finished in 1870. The Palazzo then turned into and still is, the seat of the Mayor of Rome. So, in a restricted sense, the Capitoline remains to be an icon of ruling power in Eternal City.

The building peeking through the columns of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, Roman Forum, Italy

Today, Tabularium forms the lower storey of the Palazzo dei Senatori.

Walking from Colosseum :

The building set in Via di S. Pietro in Carcere, 1,1 km from (14 min walk) from Colosseum.

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Curia Julia

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 22:55:14 +0000

The Curia Julia (Curia Lulia), the Roman Senate’s most ancient meeting-place, probably stood on the present site of the church of Santi Luca and Martina. The great brick edifice now called the Curia was the new Senate House, begun by order of Julius Caesar and completed by Augustus in 29 BC. In the seventh century it was turned into a church and this saved it from destruction.

Arch of Septimius Severus and the Curia in Roman Forum, Rome (2)

Curia Julia, official meeting place of the Roman Senate (built by Julius Caesar, 44 BC; later reconstruction by Diocletian, 305 AD)

The Curia Julia, the meeting place of the Roman Senate and the Santi Luca e Martina church, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy. In 1931, all the parts that had been added to transform it into a church were removed and great care was taken to restore this interesting historical building to its original form.

In the 1930’s it was restored to the condition in which it was left after rebuilding by Emperor Diocletian. The interior of the Curia is a single large space covering an area of almost 500 square meters. The ceiling is 21 meters high. Much of the intarsia marble pavement still dates from the age of Diocletian, as do the architectural decorations on the walls.

Cicero arraigns Catiline in the Senate. Painting by G. Maccari (1840-1919). Palazzo Madama, Rome.

The three steps that run round the longer sides once supported the seats of the senators (numbering about three hundred), while at the far end is the dais for the president. The bronze doors are a copy of those dating from the reign of Diocletian. In the seventeenth century, the originals were moved to the basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, where they can still be seen in the central portal.

The Plutei of Trajan (Anaglypha Traiani)

The Curia contains two large reliefs from the period of Trajan. There is controversy about their original location; they may have been the breastwork of an orator’s platform, or a balustrade. Extremely valuable as a contemporary depiction of the Forum, they show official business being transacted: on the relief shown above, taxes are being imposed on the citizens and notes of indebtedness burnt in the presence of the emperor. The relief below shows the granting of alimenta, there were loans at a low rate of interest for agriculture, the proceeds of which went to support children who were in need. The back of the relief shows the kinds of animals that were sacrificed at the great Roman festivals: pigs, sheep, and bulls (the suovetaurilia).

Plutei of Trajan

A Day in the Life of a Senator

The Roman writer and statesman Pliny the Elder wrote a lyrical description of a day in his villa in the Tuscan hills. He wrote, “I wake when I please, generally at dawn. … I concentrate on what work I have on hand . . . then call in my secretary and dictate what I’ve composed . . .. About the fourth or fifth hour [8:30-10:30 a.m.] I go to either the terrace or the covered portico [porch]
… think and dictate .. .then into my carriage to continue concentrating . . . then a siesta [nap] then a walk, and then I recite aloud a speech in Greek or Latin . . . then another walk, a rubdown with oil, exercise, and a bath. After dinner, reading of a comedy or music. Then a walk with my staff, some of whom are learned, men. And so we pass the evening chattering on various topics.”

Four Assemblies of the Roman Senate

Comitia Centuriata: In the days of the monarchy, the structure of this assembly was similar to the structure of the military. During the Republic, it was made up of soldiers and other members of the military elite. This powerful assembly could only be convened by a magistrate with imperium. The members were divided into voting units called centuries, based on age and wealth. It had the power to declare war or peace and was responsible for electing the higher magistrates. It was also the highest court of appeals in the Roman legal system. It lost much of its power by the Empire period.

Concilium Plebis: To combat the power of the patrician class, the plebeians created this assembly in 494 b.c. For many years, it was restricted to plebeians only. It elected its own magistrates and other plebeian officials and passed laws that applied only to the plebeian class. After 287 b.c. its laws applied to all Roman citizens, regardless of class.

Comitia Tribute: This assembly was made up of individuals from the various tribes of Rome. All Romans belonged to one of the thirty-five tribes that existed in Rome’s earliest days. Members of this assembly were grouped according to the tribe they belonged to. It could be called to meet by consuls or other high government officials. It elected lower magistrates and served as a court of appeals. It also voted on legislation brought forth by magistrates.

Comitia Curiata: Originally, Rome was divided into thirty curiae or wards. In the early days of the Roman civilization, this assembly was made up of men from these curiae. Little is known about the workings of this assembly, but it is believed that it had few legislative powers. By the late Republic, it met only for formal events and to bestow imperium, or power, to certain government officials.

Reconstruction Video of Curia Julia:

Curia Julia Photo Gallery:

Colosseum to Curia:

Curia set in Roman Forum, 0,7 km from (8 min walk) from Colosseum.

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Temple of Concord in Roman Forum

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 07:02:47 +0000

Beyond the Arch of Septimus Severus, this now sorry pile, built to mark the peace between patricians and plebeians, preserves only its 4th-century B.C platform.

Temple of Concord by the model maker, Lasha Tskhondia

The Temple of Concord was erected by Furius Camillus, the conqueror of the Gauls in 367 B. C. to commemorate the pact concluded at Monte Sacro between plebeians and patricians. The temple was rebuilt in 121 B.C. and dedicated to goddess Concordia by the Roman Consul, Lucius Opimius, after the murder of Caius Gracchus.

Rome – view of forum Romanum – Temple of Concord, Arch of Septimius Severus

Temple of Concord, Forum Romanum, Rome, Italy

It was restored by Tiberius at the beginning of the 1st-century AD and later used as a museum for Greek sculptures and paintings. In this temple, the Senate met to hear Cicero’s last speech against Catiline. Part of the temple frieze can be seen in the Tabularium when visiting the Capitoline Museums.

The interior of the upper gallery of the Tabularium with, in the foreground, the fragment of trabeation from the Temple of Concordia.

Temple of Concord – Photo Gallery

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Basilica Aemilia

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 06:39:12 +0000

The Basilica Aemilia (Basilica Emilia) was founded in 179 B. C. by Emilius Lepidus and Fulvius Nobilior. It was one of the most splendid buildings of the Roman Forum.

The basilica, which was enlarged by the consul Marcus Aemilius Paulus in 78 BC and then renovated under Augustus after a fire, is approximately 100m. in length and probably served as an exchange or courtroom. The Basilica Aemilia takes its name from the aristocratic family who rebuilt it in the 2nd. century A.D.

Remains of Basilica Emilia (Basilica Aemilia) in the Roman Forum in the city of Rome, Italy.

Ruins of the Basilica Aemilia at Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

View at the Basilica Aemilia ruins at the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy. After the basilica had been severely damaged by fire in the 3rd century A.D. it was rebuilt in its old form, but it finally burned down at the beginning of the 5th century.

This type of structure was adopted by the Romans from the Greeks – the Greek word »basilica« means »king’s hall«. It consists of three elongated, rectangular spaces with a common, flat ceiling and separated by columns, with a recess (apse) at one end for the chair of the market supervisor or judge. With a few changes, the basilica with a nave and two aisles became the generally accepted design for Christian churches.

Reconstruction Video of Basilica Aemilia – by Altair4:

On the right as you enter the Roman Forum, this now heavily ruined basilica was said by Pliny to have been one of the world’s three most beautiful buildings. It illustrates how buildings in the Forum changed roles over the years.

In the 5th century B.C, this area was a row of butcher shops, taken over in time by the city’s moneylenders. In 179 BC the Censor Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, son of Aemilius Paulus, built the Forum’s second basilica over the shops, such acts of private enterprise being rewarded with the right to have the building named in one’s honor. The moneylenders were allowed to stay, concealed behind a special portico.

Basilica Aemilia – Roman Forum

Remains of Basilica Aemilia, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy. Antique roman temple ruins, baroque church in the background.

Ruins of Basilica Aemilia. The Basilica was 100 meters long and about 30 meters wide. Along the sides were two orders of 16 arches

The Basilica Aemilia in the Forum Romanum is one of the most important buildings of ancient Rome due to its location, size, and architecture – Rome, Italy

During Alaric’s attack in 410 A.D, some of the moneylenders supposedly stayed in the basilica to do business with the invading Goths. You can still see bronze coins fused into marble pavement, perhaps the result of the Goths’ violent dislike of the bankers’ reception.

After the Basilica Aemilia had been severely damaged by fire in the 3.nd. century A.D. It was rebuilt in its old form, but it finally burned down at the beginning of the 5th century A.D. In the succeeding centuries, that the decline of the Forum accelerated, one of the causes being the terrible earthquake of 851 at the time of Pope Leo IV. Nor were the Romans of the tenth century in such spiritual, political, or economic circumstances as to worry over the condition of the Forum.

In 1084 the Normans, called by Gregory VII who was besieged by Henry IV (of Italy) laid the city to waste, sacking and burning with devastating fury. Some years later, a French writer said: « Rome exists no longer; some of it still stands, some has fallen, but what remains cannot be restored and what is fallen cannot be rebuilt ». It was the end of the Forum. Much of the building, like many of Rome’s treasures, suffered at the hands of the Goths and similar invaders, but the bulk of the basilica was lost during the Renaissance when a large part of its fabric was looted as building stone.

Colosseum to the Basilica Aemilia

Basilica Aemilia is set in the Roman Forum, 0,65 km from (8 min walk) from Colosseum.

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Column of Phocas

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:59:35 +0000

The Column of Phocas is the last classical memory of the Roman Forum. It bases on a stepped brick base and is embeded in front of the Rostra. It was erected in the year 608 to honour the Byzantine Emperor Phocas and thank him for ceding the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV for conversion into a church.

Phocas was a 7th-century emperor of Byzantium (ruled from 602 to 610), the Eastern Empire, which then ruled over the city of Rome from its capital, Constantinople (modern-day called Istanbul). In fact, Phocas was popular for his ruthlessness. To begin with he acquired the throne by assassinating his predecessor Mauricius and his children. However, he gained particular merit in Rome because in A.D. 608 he presented Pope Boniface IV with the Pantheon which was transformed into a church the following year.

The marble Corinthian column is 13.5 meters high and was certainly drawn from an older monument.

Rome, The Column of Phocas and the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy; color photochrom ca 1890s.

Ancient Column of Byzantine Emperor Phocas with baroque church and triumphal arch in the center of Roman Forum

The dedicatory engraving (on the north side) notifies us that Smaragdo the esarch of Italy in A.D. 608 set a statue in gilded bronze of Emperor Phocas on the top, and sings his appreciation: “To our greatest, most thoughtful, most pious lord Phocas, the superior leader in perpetuity, crowned by God, victorious, emperor forever before. Smaragdus, formerly praepostor at the Palatium, patrician and also exarch of Italy, dedicated to his Elegance due to the countless benefactions of his holiness, the tranquility gave Italy and freedom preserved, placed this shining statuary of his Grandeur on top of this sublime pillar to his seasonal magnificence, on 1 August A.D. 608.”

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Basilica Julia

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 06:35:43 +0000

The Basilica Julia consists of the long south side of the Roman Forum and is verged on the west by the Vicus Iugarius and on the east by the Vicus Tuscus, which separate it respectively from the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of the Castors.

Basilica Julia, view looking southeast to the north facade on the Forum restored without a second-story terrace. (G. Gorski) – Source: A Reconstruction and Architectural Guide

Work on the structure was started in 54 B.C. by Julius Caesar, from whom it took its name, and it was committed in 46 B.C. The location was formerly inhabited by the tabernae veteres (market stores) and the Basilica Sempronia, constructed in 169 B.C. by Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, father of the plebeian tribunes Tiberius and Gaius. At that time the home of Scipio Africanus, in addition to different stores, had actually needed to be taken apart.

Reconstruction Video of Basilica Julia:

The Basilica Julia was ended up by Augustus, who needed to rebuild the structure after its damage in a fire of 14 B.C. In A.D. 12 he devoted the Basilica to his embraced sons Gaius and Lucius. The fire of Carinus in A.D. 283 triggered significant damage and Diocletian saw to the restoration. It was again partly ruined when Alaric sacked Rome in A.D. 410 and it was rebuilded in A.D. 416 by the prefect of the city, Gabinius Vettius Probianus.

The Basilica Julia was the meeting-place of the four tribunals of the centumviri, a special court of justice which dealt with civil cases. It likewise functioned as a meeting point for those who often visited the Forum. The structure, enforcing in size (m. 96×48), was made up of a big main area (m. 82×18) with 4 aisles around it which were suggested to work as passages. They were risen and set on 2 stories, with arches framed by engaged columns.

Basilica Julia at Roman Forum in city of Rome, Italy. Basilica Julia was a court of law in which the tribunal of the centumviri (“hundred men”) sat to adjudicate on cases of property ownership and issues of inheritance.

Basilica Julia at Roman Forum in city of Rome, Italy

The big main hall should have been divided into 4 parts by wood partitions or drapes, so that 4 courts might bring on business at the exact same time, although in especially essential cases it was utilized in its totality. The only part of the structure still extant is the stepped podium, while the brick piers are a modern-day additon.

The game of merels on the steps of Basilica Julia

Still in location are different pedestals for statues, with engravings, 3 which name Praxitiles, Polykleitos, and Timarchus as sculptors. Different “gaming boards” (tabulae lusoriae) have actually been scratched into the pavement and actions, most likely by the idlers who spent time in the Forum.

There are likewise graffiti sketches of a few of the statues. Trial digs brought out inside the structure have actually exposed the remains of the Basilica Sempronia, under which was discovered the impluvium of exactly what should when have been the house of Scipio Africanus. In the Middle Ages a church (Santa Maria in Cannapara) was built at west side of Basilica Julia. The surviving remains mostly date from 305 A.D.

Colosseum to Basilica Julia

Basilica Julia set in the Roman Forum, 0,7 km from (8 min walk) from Colosseum.

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Temple of Saturn

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 06:55:57 +0000

Temple of Saturn was among the earliest temples in Rome and was set up in 497 B.C. on the site, as told in the sources (Festus, Serviiis), of an altar which had actually likewise been devoted to Saturn and which was then kept in a location of its own, as exposed by the Forma Urbis (huge marble plan of the city from the time of Septimius Severus).

Temple of Saturn – Reconstruction 3D Model

Reconstruction of the Forum with (above, from the left) the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Temple of Concord, and the Tabularium in the background.

The ‘Saturnalia’ was one of the most essential days of festivities in the Roman year, an occasion when temporary freedom was given to slaves-servants and presents were exchanged. This day was always celebrated here on 17th December: it later came to be associated with New Year’s Day (and Christmas). Temple of Saturn was entirely reconstructed in 42 B.C. by the aedile L. Munazius Strategycus and the columns we see today survive from that time. It was again restored after fires in 283 A.D. and 400 A.D.

Columns from Temple of Saturn in Roman Forum in Rome, Italy.

Roman Forum, Rome’s historic center, Italy – Temple of Saturn

As shown by the engraving on the architrave, the temple was again brought back in A.D. 283 after a fire. The 6 columns in grey granite on the front, the 2 in red granite on the sides, and the pediment, consisting primarily of recycled blocks, come from this period.

Reconstruction Drawing of Roman Forum – Giuseppe Becchetti. 1893.

Even the columns do not constantly pair with the bases, which differ in design, and with the Ionic capitals. An avant-corps in front of the base included 2 podia, separated by a flight of stairs which caused the temple. Among these need to have consisted of the head office of the Roman State Treasury. The treasury (aerarium) was a room east of the narrow stairway. The holes for the lock can still be seen.

The threshold is still to be seen on the side facing the Forum. On the exact same side, a series of routinely organized holes exposes the existence of a rectangle-shaped panel on which the general public documents concerning the treasury should have been published. The cella of the temple consisted of the statue of the god which was brought in procession for triumphal rites.

Temple of Saturn -Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

View of the Temple of Saturn at the Roman Forum, Rome. Inscription Reads: The Senate and People of Roma, restored following destruction by fire.

When this temple was constructed, Rome was going through an especially crucial period due to comprehensive scarcities, upsurges, and an extreme financial and commercial crisis which defined the years subsequent to the fall of the monarchy.

The last ancient structure in Roman Forum: Column of Phocas

Reconstructed sketch of Roman Forum by E. Laurenti

The base of a column opposite the podium of the Temple of Saturn is all that remains of the “Miliarium Aureum”, the column erected by emperor Augustus to indicate the ideal point on which converged the major roads of the Empire and on which may have recorded the distances of the principal cities from Rome.

The last ancient structure in Roman Forum was the undecorated column erected in 608 in honor of the Byzantine Emperor Phocas. After that, the structures began to decay. The forum was used for other purposes, churches and fortresses were crammed into it. It served as a quarry and a cow pasture. Not until the 18th and 19th centuries did systematic excavations reveal the ancient ruins beneath a layer of rubble that was 10-15m/30-50ft deep. Imagination and small plaster models are required to conjure up the Roman Forum of the imperial era; however, this does not reduce the evocative power of this unique place.

Temple of Saturn – Photo Gallery:

Walking-Colosseum:

Temple of Saturn set in the Roman Forum, 0,75 km from (9 min walk) from Colosseum.

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Arch of Septimius Severus

Colosseum Rome Tickets — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 08:25:03 +0000

Arch of Septimius Severus has survived its 1.800 years remarkably well. In 203 A.D the Roman Senate erected a great arch to commemorate the victories of Septimius Severus against the Parthians. The inscription in the attic dedicated by SPQR (the Senate and People of Rome) to ‘pater patriae’ and ‘pontifex maximus’ refers to his military victories in Parthia (Asia, modern-day Iran).

This triple-vaulted monument was erected just where the Via Sacra begins to climb toward the Capitol, the culminating point of triumphal processions awarded to victorious generals. The arch is wholly sheathed in marble and an image on a coin shows it was originally surmounted by bronze sculptures: a chariot drawn by six horses flanked with equestrian statues symbolising the triumph decreed to the emperor.

Arch of Septimius Severus at the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

The arch is about 20 met. high, 25 met.wide and over 11 meters deep and has three passageways, a large one in the center and two smaller ones at the sides with short flights of steps leading up to them.

In the carvings on the arch the same theme is expressed in the small frieze above the two lesser vaults. This shows carts filled with booty, soldiers, prisoners, and the great statue of a seated figure that personifies the conquered province.

Arch of Septimius Severus (203 AD) and the ruins of the Roman Forum

The Triumphal Arch of Septimus Severus located in Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

Detail of the arch of Septimius Severus, located in the roman Forum. Rome, Italy.

Arch of Septimius Severus: Inscription

To the Imperator Caesar Lucius Septimius, son of Marcus, Severus Pius Pertinax Augustus(Septimius Severus), father of his country, conqueror of the Parthians in Arabia and Assyria, Pontifex Maximus, with Tribunician powers 11 times, triumphing general 11 times, consul 3 times, and proconsul; and to the Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius, son of Lucius, Antoninus Augustus Pius Felix (Caracalla) with tribunician powers 6 times, consul, proconsul, father of the fatherland, the best and braves of princes, on account of the republic restored and the empire of the Roman people increased by their outstanding virtues at home and abroad, the Senate and the Roman people dedicate this arch.

On the attic is the dedication to Septimius Severus and his son Caracalla. Originally the inscription of the Arch of Septimius Severus mentioned Geta, the second son of emperor Septimius Severus, but his brother Caracalla murdered him after their father’s death and had his name removed from all state monuments, a procedure called “condemnation of his memory” (the damnatio memoriae).

In the Middle Ages, the arch became part of a castle, which has most likely contributed to it still being so unspoiled. The Arch of Septimius Severus from 203 AD, is the last triumphal arch that was constructed on the Roman Forum.

The inscription at the top of the arch was very first committed to Septimius and his sons Caracalla and Geta, however after Caracalla killed Geta following his father’s death, Geta’s name was removed. This can still be seen today by the pin holes of the copper letters that hint to the name Getanog.

Arch of Septimius Severus – Photo Gallery:

Featured Image of this post: The Column of Phocas and the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy; color photochrom ca 1890’s.

Distance to the Colosseum

Arch of Septimius Severus set in the center of Roman Forum, 1,0 km from (11 min walk) from Colosseum.

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