Roman Forum, Rome

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This is the house where the six priestesses that tended the nearby Tempio di Vesta lived. The priestesses, daughters of patrician families, are chosen at a young age (between 6-10 years old) and vow of chastity for 30 years, during which they took care of the temple - including keeping the temple flame alive. Punishment is harsh for the priestess during whose watch the flame is extinguished: flogging. But perhaps the harshest of all is violating the sacred vow to remain chaste: death, not just by any means, but by being buried alive since her blood cannot be spilled. And for the man responsible for this? Death by flogging. Ouch!

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The Roman Forum is located in a valley that is between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. It originally was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages.
Much of the forum has been destroyed. Columns and stone blocks are all that remain of some temples. The more prominent landmarks include the Arch of Septimius Severus, Temple of Saturn, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine.

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Of all the monuments in the Forum, this is perhaps the one I'm most attached to - for very personal reasons - it's MY arch!

Delusions of Roman grandeur aside, the arch, named after an emperor's brother (who was also emperor himself) in commemoration of Roman victory in the Roman-Jewish war (AD 66-73), is as stunning as it is iconic - it became the model for many triumphal arches since the 16th century, such as Paris' Arc de Triomphe, and the arch at Washington Park in New York.

The more notable features of the arch include its vivid descriptions of holy Jewish articles such as the menorah and trumpets - within the context of the destruction of Jerusalem.

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Rising on the northwest area of the Forum is the Rostra - the ancient speaker's stand - or what remains of it. It used to be an elaborate speaker's corner, and was where Shakespeare's Marcus Antonius delivered his trademark "Friends, Romans, countrymen..." speech.

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The Forum was the centre of ancient Rome's commerical, judicial & political life. Today it's an experience to walk round a place that has shaped so much history. The whole area is covered in ruined arches, columns, basilicas & temples.

It can be a bit overwhelming trying to take in all the history that surrounds you. I just wandered among the ruins taking lots of photos.

An adult ticket cost 12 Euro's, it also gives you access to Palatine & the Colosseum.

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In all of my trips to Rome, I had never walked around the Forum. From the Colosseum we walked to the Forum. The Forum was the political and religious center in ancient Rome.

Today there are interesting ruins of the buildings and temples, basilicas and arches. It was really worth the time walking around. Regretfully we didn't hire a guide so I would recommend doing that.

On-line booking: www.pierreci.it

Hours: 9 - 1h before sunset.

Admission: € 11,00 – reduced € 6,50. Two days ticket also including the entrance to Colosseum and Palatine.

This is a very historical spot in Rome. Although it looks like a building site and you may be excused for asking for a hard hat and steel toe-capped boots to enter the area.

The forum is the place where public meetings were held, important announcements made, and where famous orators would speak. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" etc.

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I arrived at the Foro Romano from the entrance to the Palatine Hill across the street from the Colosseum. You can enjoy an afternoon and see the awesome buildings and temples in all their glory. Structures were built inside structures through the ages like my first pic of the Temple of Faustina and Antoninus Pius and the Church that was built inside of it. The majestry amidst the rubble of the Arch of Septimus Severus my second pic. The Temple of Divus Romulus is my third pic. The two columns in front of the temple are of a rare marble and are said to be worth 20 million euros each.
The entrance fee is 11euros and it includes entrance to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum so it is well worth the value.