Archeology Final

Basilica of Maxentius

What archeological site is this?

Basilica of Maxentius Archeological Context

Located in the Roman Forum

Also known as Basilica Nova

Largest building in the Roman Forum

Started under Maxentius and finished by Constantine

When the Basilica of Maxentius was built

4th century CE

Purpose of the Basilica of Mexentius

Legal and Administrative Functions

Political Gatherings

Social Hub

Symbol of Power

Public Access

Temple of Saturn

What archeological site is this?

Temple of Saturn Archeological Context

Western end of the Roman Forum

Foot of the Capotaline Hill

Dedicated to Saturn, god of wealth and agriculture

When the Temple of Saturn was built

5th Century BCE

Purpose of the Temple of Saturn

Temple dedicated to Saturn for future wealth and good harvest

Became a treasury for the Romans

Hosted the festival of Saturnalia

The Colosseum

What is this archeological site?

Archeological context of the Colosseum

In the valley of the Colosseum

Built during the Flavian dynasty

Started building under Vespasian

Finished building under Titus

Period when the Colosseum was built

1st Century CE

Function of the Colosseum

Gladiator Battles

Political theatre for imperial propaganda

Imperial control over gladiator fates

Emotional experience and crowd dynamics

Control over nature and environment (naval battles)

Temple of Castor and Pollux

What is this archeological site?

Archeological Context of Temple of Castor and Pollux

Located in the Roman Forum

Renovations over the centuries

Vowed by Roman General and Dictator Aulus Postumius

Only the columns remain after excavations

Time of construction of Temple of Castor and Pollux

5th century BCE

Purpose of the Temple of Castor and Pollux

Political and religious space

Hosted senate meetings, trials, and ceremonies

Symbol of Rome’s military success in the BC ages

Castor & Pollux = mythical calvary heroes
Sons and twins of Jupiter

Circus Maximus

What is this archeological site?

Archeological context of Circus Maximus

Located closely to the Palatine Hill

In vicinity to the Imperial Palace

Attributed to Lucius Tarquinius Priscius, the first Etruscan King of Rome

Time of construction of the Circus Maximus

6th century BCE

Purpose of the Circus Maximus

Largest venue for chariot races

Gladiatorial combat

Animal hunts

Plays and recitals

Public executions

Emperors used it to demonstrate power and prestige

Temple of the Divine Julius Caesar

What is this archeological site?

Archeological context of the Temple of the Divine Julius Caesar

Located in the Roman Forum

Built by Augustus Caesar

Built on the spot of Caesar’s cremation

When the Temple. ofthe divine Julius Caesar was built

1st Century CE

Purpose of the Temple of the Divine Julius Caesar

Made to worship the divine Julius Caesar after his death

Built on top of his cremation site

Public meeting space

Main altar used for meetings

Curia Iulia

What archeological site is this?

Archeological Context of the Curia Iulia

Reconstructed

Used as a church

Northwest Roman Forum

One of the best-preserved monuments in the Roman Forum

Time the Curia Iulia was built

1st Century CE

Purpose of the Curia Iulia

Senate house

Turned into a church after reconstruction

Replaced Curis Hostilia

Arch of Septimus Severus

What is this archeological site?

Arch of Septimus Severus archeological context

Located in the Roman Forum

Very well preserved

Arch of Septimus Severus time of construction

3rd Century CE

Purpose of Arch of Septimus Severus

Propoganda of Emperor Septimus Severus

Shows victory over the Parthians

Shows the emperor’s military achievements

Public events and processions occured near

Temple of Venus and Rome

What is this archeological site?

Archeological context of the Temple of Venus and Rome

Located in Roman Forum

One of the largest temples in the city

Located on hill overlooking the Colosseum

Built by Emperor Hadrian

Venus of Roma and Venus time of building

2nd Century CE

Purpose of Temple of Venus and Roma

Temple dedicated to Venus and Roma

Venus = birth mother of the city (Aeneas)

Roma highlights Roman religious landscape

Connections between realm of Venus and realm of Roma

Temple of Antonius and Faustina

What is this archeological site?

Archeological context of the temple. of Antonius and Faustina

Built by emperor Antonius Pius

In Roman Forum

Finished by Marcus Aurelius

Church built around it

Temple of Antonius and Faustina time of building

2nd century CE

Purpose of the Temple of Antonius and Faustina

Built by Antonius to deify and honor his dead wife, Faustina

First empress with a permanent state in the forum

Dedicated to both Antonius and Faustina after the death of Antonius

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

What is this archeological site?

Archeological context of the Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Inspired by Egyptian architecture

In Testaccio

Built by Caius Cestius

Pyramid of Caius Cestius time of building

1st Century BCE

Pyramid of Caius Cestius purpose

Shows Egyptian culture on Rome

Tomb for Roman Magistrate Caius Cestius

Ludus Magnus

What is this archeological site?

Ludus Magnus archeological context

Built by emperor Domitian

Just north of the Colloseum in the Colloseum valley

Discovered in 1937

Ludus Magnus time of building

1st century CE

Purpose of the Ludus Magnus

Gladiator training school

Miniature arena in comparison to the Colloseum

Trained gladiators