Stage 29: Roma The Origins of Rome

The Origins of Rome name Rome - no definite origins- but probably from Romulus. Rome’s foundation date: April 21, 753BC The discovery of huts confirms the presence of an 8th century settlement on the Palatine. The settlement (as all of Latium) was inhabited by the Latini who were sheperds and farmers

Why here? Access to Tiber river (transportation, waste removal, etc) Protection from 7 hills Great intersection between trade from southern and northern Italy

Map of Rome

Changes to site Marshy forum drained thanks to Cloaca Maxima New buildings expanding outward from Palatine

7 kings of Rome Romulus Numa Pompilius Tullus Hostilius Ancus Marcius Lucius Tarquinius Priscus Servius Tullius Lucius Tarquinius Superbus Romulus Never Took Any Ladies Sept Sabines!

Government Shifts the last king, Tarquinius Superbus, was driven out, and the Roman Republic was established in 509 BCE Kings were replaced by two annually elected magistrates-consuls Caesar brought down republic, and Augustus was first emperor 31BC

The Roman Forum

Forum Romanum heart of the city and the center of the empire Augustus placed the miliarium aureum (golden milestone) in the Forum to mark the starting point of the roads

Alia Fora Following emperors built fora nearby: - Julius Caesar - Augustus - Nerva - Trajan - Domitian But Forum Romanum remained the center of life

Fora Reconstruction of the Forum of Augustus Julius Caesar’s Forum

Fora Domitian’s Forum Vespasian’s Forum

Trajan’s Forum

Activities in Forum visit temples and public buildings listen to speeches and/or debates watch processions sometimes to meet their friends Shop Military and/or funeral processions would pass through In basilica, lawyers pleaded their cases in front of audiences Senators made their way to the curia to conduct affairs of government

Pictures Curia (senate house) Sedan chair

Location, Location, Location The forum was between two of Rome’s hills, the Capitoline and the Palatine Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus was on the Capitoline, as the center of the Roman state religion. The Emperor came to pray for the safety of the Roman people, and consuls took their vows on January 1st at the beginning of their consulship Emperor’s residence stood on the Palatine hill. Beginning as a simple house and expanding over the years to a palace.

Rostra and Julius Caesar At the foot of the Capitoline was the rostra, a platform from which public speeches were made to the people. The name comes from rostra (a ship’s prow, captured in a sea battle early in Rome’s history) used to decorate it.

Temple of Julius Caesar Famous speech made by Mark Antony over the body of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The crowd, riveted by his words became so angry at Caesar’s murder that they rioted, seized the body, and cremated it in the forum. A temple was later built in Caesar’s memory at the eastern end at the place where his body was burned.

Temple of Vesta A small round building with a cone-shaped roof was where the Vestal Virgins tended the undying sacred flame which symbolized the endurance of Rome The Via Sacra ran through the forum and was the avenue for religious or triumphal processions Triumphal Processions ended at the Capitoline Hill where they gave thanks at the temple..

Images Via Sacra Temple of Vesta Arch of Titus

Prison Not far from the rostra and curia was the prison. Prisoners of war were held in this prison before being led in a triumphal procession. Afterwards they would be taken back to the prison and killed.

Lower Part