Pompeii – Public Buildings

The position and layout of Pompeii On the left side (west) is the forum with the temples and municipal buildings grouped around it. In the foreground is the large theatre and on the right the amphitheatre. Rest of the area is occupied mainly by houses Outside the gates are cemeteries It had a circuit wall of about 3 kilometres, pierced by 8 gates. Towers were built at the weakest points on the north and east.

Gate tower

The Forum The political, religious and commercial centre of Pompeii The main temples, government buildings, law courts and business exchanges were grouped around it. People set up stalls and there was a market in the forum There was also the ‘Triangular Forum’ which was in another part of town It was open to the sky (no roof)

The "Suggestum," a stand from which orators spoke to the people, is located at the centre of the western side of the square. Several large bases where statues of the most important men of the city were placed are located along the southern side of the arcade.

The Basilica The Basilica was the most important public building in Pompeii as the centre of economic life and the seat of the law courts. It is thought that the foundation dates back to pre-Roman times because tiles found near the opening contained the Oscan seal. Law was administered in the Basilica The Basilica opened onto the Forum by five doorways that created three internal naves. The central nave was composed of 28 brick columns, clearly of Greek influence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA_kBm1XmRA