Caesar’s Forum is one of the Imperial Fora and is situated at the foot of the Capitol Hill, near the Roman Forum in Rome. In order to build here, the Emperor had to have other buildings like the Curia Hostilia and the Comitium relocated. Other, private dwellings were purchased and subsequently demolished. Only about two thirds of Caesar’s Forum has been excavated, the remainder remains buried underneath the Via dei Fori Imperiali
A brief history of the Forum of Caesar in Rome
The Foro di Cesare was rectangular in shape and stretched from the Curia in the east to the Via San Pietro in Carcere (west). The long sides of the rectangle ran more or less parallel with the Clivus Argentarius, which connected the Campidoglio and the Roman Forum.
Domitian had to restore Caesar’s Forum after a fire in the year 80. Trajan completed this restoration.
The forum’s piazza was long and rectangular, with porticoes with columns on either side and two naves. The entrance only had a one nave portico. There were shops (tabernae) under the ceilings of the porticoes, which were wedged into the Campidoglio, facing the Clivus Argentarius. There was a temple dedicated to Venus Genetrix at the back of the piazza.
A series of columns facing south-east opened on the largest public lavatory of the ancient world. This was built under Emperor Trajan, who was also responsible for adding a structure of pillars with double naves running along the Campidoglio. Though only toilets, the walls of the structure were covered with marble. There was space for 50 people.
The Forum of Caesar, which initially took over the role of the Roman Forum as a meeting place for dealings in public affairs, came later to be used as the Basilica Argentaria, a specialized market of silverware and bronze. Later it came to be used as a school. Finds of several works by celebrated artists of the time (a statue of Venus by Arkesilaos, paintings by Timomaco of Bisanzio, a gold statue of Cleopatra) found here, would seem to indicate that the space was also used as a museum.
Caesar was not the most humble of emperors and had himself escorted by a procession of elephants. He also placed a statue of himself riding Bucefalo, Alexander the Great‘s horse and a symbol of absolute power, at his Forum. He is thought to have chosen the site because it was close to the Curia, seat of the Senate, and thus center of political power.
Temple of Venus Genetrix
The Temple of Venus Genetrix (Tempio di Venere Genitrice) stood on the back of the square. It was reconstructed by Trajan in 113 AD and was the focal point of the square.
The temple was entered by means of two stairs on the sides, that were incorporated in the podium. The podium was covered with marble, which has since disappeared.
There were eight columns on the front and nine each on the sides of the monument. The back side was closed by a blind wall. Only three Corinthian columns with part of the entablature are still standing.
The cella was decorated with columns that were placed against the side walls. Fragments of the architrave above these columns can be seen in the Capitoline Museums.
In the apse stood a statue of Venus Genetrix, by the Greek sculptor Agesilao. Venus was the mother of Aeneas, a hero who had escaped to Latium after the Trojan wars and was seen as the progenitor of the Roman people.
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali – Rome. The entrance is near the Column of Trajan.
Opening hours: March 1-30: 09.00 – 17.30; March 31-September 30: 09.00 – 18.30; October 1-16: 09.00 – 18.30; October 27-February 28: 09.00 – 16.30. (On December 24 and 31 closing time is at 14.00).
Last entry is one hour before closing time.
The Fori Imperiali are free on the first Sunday of every month.
Fori Imperiali prices and tickets
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