Classics- Chapters 1-4 contextual vocab

insula

Literate translation to English: ‘island’

It actually means a block of flats. They were probably called insula due to the fact that all around them was empty, giving an island effect.

foculus

A portable heater; some tenants in the insulae had these.

forum

a public hall or marketplace

fora

plural of forum

Forum Boarium

A forum in the Roman era, which was close to the docks of Tiber Island. It was originally a cattle market but then grew into an important commercial and religious centre

bos

cow/cattle

Forum Romanum

The political, religious and commercial centre of Rome. People of all classes, visitor or citizen, came to socialize, engage with business, worship and listen to speeches.

basillica

a large public hall in the fora, there were 2 in Forum Romanum

Vesta

The goddess of the hearth and fire

Concordia

the goddess of unity

rostra

A high stone platform where the emperor and his family would stand as he made speeches.

curia

This was the senate house, where the emperor and senate met tp discuss political matters.

The Roman State Religion

This was a complex system of religious observances that affected all aspects of public and private life in Rome.

pax deorum

peace with the gods; This was done by worshipping many gods that looked after Rome.

pontifex maximus

the Chief Priest