fora and temples - classical greek and roman studies

forum at ostia

2nd century BC, renovated 1st century AD

layout: capitolium, basilica, curia, temple of Rome and Augustus

construction: brick-faced concrete (opus latericium)

function: Administrative and ceremonial center of the port city.

forum of pompeii

2nd century BC

layout: Basilica, Temple of Apollo, Macellum, Eumachia Building, Temple of Jupiter

construction: stone and concrete; colonnaded walkways.

function: political, commercial, and religious hub

forum of augustus

completed 2nd century BC

layout: rectangular courtyard with the Temple of Mars Ultor at one end

construction: marble and concrete from different parts of the empire

function: supposedly built to the pressure on Romes other forums

forum of trajan

106 to 113 AD

layout: Basilica Ulpia, Pantheon, Trajan’s Column, Temple of Vesta, Trajan’s Markets

construction: concrete and marble; complex vaulting.

Built by Hadrian from the spoils of the Dacian Wars, bigger than all the other forums

Capitolium (Temple to the Capitoline Triad)

Ostia, 120 AD

layout: raised on 12 steps to give the illusion of height, and imitate the capitolium in Rom

construction: african marble and brick

function: worship of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva

Temple of Jupiter (Capitolium)

Pompeii, 2nd century BC, renovated in 80 BC

layout: tripartile podium which held the capitoline traid and a triumphal arch dedicated to Tiberius

decoration: 2 tiered colonnade of corinthian and ionic columns

function: worship of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva

Temple of Apollo

Pompeii, 2nd century BC

layout: large travertine altar with dedicatory inscription of the names of the 4 officials who erected it when Pompeii was a Sullan colony

construction: local stone and stucco

decoration: peristyle colonnade and hexastyle peripteral

function: oldest temple in Pompeii

Temple of Mars Ultor

Rome, 2 BC by Augustus

layout: Deep porch and high podium

construction: entirely marble

decoration: octastyle columns and apse with 3 statues depicting the defied Caesar, Mars and Venus

function: religious-political monument avenging the death of Caesar

Pantheon

Rome, originally built by Agrippa in 27 BC, but burnt down as was rebuilt by Hadrian 128 AD

layout: rotunda with an octastyle portico

construction: concrete

decoration: large oculus, yellow Nubian marble steps and Egyptian granite portico

function: dedicated to all gods; imperial ideology

Temple of Vesta

Rome, rebuilt many times, dating back to 7th century BC

layout: circular peripteral temple

construction: tufa blocks decorated with marble

decoration: corinthian columns

function: held the sacred flame of Vesta