Origins: from swamp to urban centre

The Forum Valley was originally a marshy area between the Capitoline, Palatine and Esquiline hills. Before the 6th century BC, the Latin tribes living on the surrounding hills used it as a cemetery — funerary finds dating to the 8th–7th century BC have been recovered below the current Forum level.

The urban transformation occurred under the kings of Rome, in particular under Tarquinius Priscus (617–579 BC): the valley was drained through the construction of the Cloaca Maxima, still functioning today as a sewer channel. The reclaimed land became a commercial and political space.

Over the following centuries, the Forum developed in layers: each building constructed upon or beside earlier structures, each generation adding temples, basilicas and monuments. The result is one of the most complex archaeological sites in the world — where excavation means uncovering not a single level, but overlapping sequences spanning more than a thousand years.

The republican period (5th–1st century BC)

During the Roman Republic, the Forum was the physical place of civic life. Here took place:

  • The comitia (popular assemblies) for voting on laws and magistrates
  • Public trials in the basilicas (covered buildings for legal-commercial functions)
  • Political speeches from the Rostra (speakers' platform, decorated with the prows of captured ships)
  • Daily markets
  • Public funerals of important citizens

The Temple of Saturn (498 BC, rebuilt 42 BC) housed the Aerarium — the treasury of the Roman state, kept in its foundations.

The Temple of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux, 484 BC) was vowed after the Battle of Lake Regillus, when the two divine brothers, according to tradition, fought alongside the Romans.

The Basilica Aemilia (179 BC) was one of the largest public buildings of the ancient world — 100 metres long, articulated with porticoes and shops. Bronze coins fused during the fire of 410 AD (the Sack of Alaric) are still visible in the pavement.

The Via Sacra was the main street of the Forum, connecting the Capitoline to the Colosseum. Triumphant generals processed along it after military victories.

The imperial period (1st century BC–3rd century AD)

With Augustus (27 BC–14 AD), the Roman Forum reached its definitive form. Augustus rebuilt or restored more than 80 temples across the city, many in the Forum. His building programme was simultaneously political and religious: visually establishing continuity with the Republic while signalling a new order.

Among the great imperial constructions in the Forum:

The Curia Julia (Senate chamber, completed by Augustus in 29 BC) is one of the best-preserved buildings of the Forum. Its original marble pavement, the Plutei Traianei (Trajan's relief panels) and the bronze doors (copies of the originals transported to the Lateran) are still visible.

The Arch of Titus (81 AD) commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The interior panels show the Temple Menorah carried in triumph — the only surviving ancient representation of this object.

The Arch of Septimius Severus (203 AD) celebrates the military victories of Septimius Severus in Mesopotamia. It is among the best-preserved triumphal arches in Rome.

The Temple of Vesta (repeatedly rebuilt, current form 1st–2nd century AD) housed the sacred fire of Rome — the flame that, according to tradition, could never be extinguished. The Vestal Virgins kept it burning for thirty years of service.

The Basilica of Maxentius (begun by Maxentius, completed by Constantine in 312 AD) was the most imposing construction of the Forum — three naves of 80 × 100 metres covered by groin vaults 35 metres high. Three arcades of the original northern nave survive.

The Colossal: temples of the Late Empire

In the 3rd–4th century AD, the Forum was further transformed by the Tetrarchs and Constantine. The Temple of Romulus (307–311 AD) — son of Maxentius — remains intact, with its original bronze doors. The structure was incorporated into the medieval church of Santi Cosma e Damiano.

The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (141 AD) is one of the visual paradoxes of the Forum: the pagan temple became a Christian church in the Middle Ages (San Lorenzo in Miranda), the columns embedded in a baroque façade. The grooves made by medieval Romans who tried to topple the columns to reuse their marble are visible on the bases.

The decline: from the 4th to the 15th century

With the Christianisation of the Empire, pagan temples were closed by Theodosius I in 391 AD. Many Forum buildings were converted into churches or abandoned.

The Sack of Alaric (410 AD) and the Sack of Genseric (455 AD) damaged the city; unmaintained structures began to collapse. By the 6th century AD, the Forum was already largely abandoned as a civic space.

In the Middle Ages, the Forum became the Campo Vaccino — literally "field of cows" — a pasture for livestock. Columns and arches emerged from the ground like trees, buildings buried under metres of accumulated debris. Marble, bronze and bricks were systematically extracted for medieval construction.

Modern rediscovery: excavations from the 16th to 19th century

The first systematic excavation of the Forum dates to 1803, under Napoleon. Systematic excavations began in 1803 under Commissioner Carlo Fea, who opened a trench along the Via Sacra.

In 1870, after Italian Unification, the Italian government launched large-scale excavations that continued throughout the 20th century. The work brought to light buildings buried up to 8–10 metres below the current ground level.

Today the Roman Forum is one of the most important active excavation sites in the world — each year new data emerge from the earth.

What to see today

The current Roman Forum presents a sequence of structures covering the entire history of Rome:

  • Entry from Via Sacra (Colosseum side): the most scenic approach
  • Temple of Antoninus and Faustina → Basilica Aemilia → Curia → Rostra → Temple of Saturn → Column of Phocas → Via Sacra towards the Arch of Titus
  • Palatine (accessible internally): the hill of the imperial residences, with a view over the entire Forum

Visiting with a private driver

The Roman Forum is located in the historic centre of Rome, with pedestrian access from Via Sacra.

Arrive at the Roman Forum with a private driver: the site is a few minutes' walk from the Colosseum, both included in the same combined ticket. Service from €49. → Book your driver at myromedriver.com

Frequently asked questions

Are the Roman Forum and Palatine included in the same ticket? Yes. The combined ticket covers the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine. It costs €16 (reduced €2 for residents) with online booking.

How long does it take to visit the Roman Forum? Forum only: 1.5–2 hours. Forum + Palatine: 3–4 hours. Forum + Palatine + Colosseum: a full day.

Are there covered structures in the Roman Forum? Very few. The Curia Julia can be visited internally; the Basilica Aemilia has only foundations. In summer, bring a hat and water.

Is it possible to visit the Roman Forum in the evening? In some summer periods special evening openings are organised, but they are not the norm. Check the website of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.

Where are the Imperial Fora in relation to the Roman Forum? The Imperial Fora (of Caesar, Augustus, Nerva, Trajan, Vespasian) are adjacent to the Roman Forum but accessible from Via dei Fori Imperiali, with a different ticket or partly visible from the street.

Article no. 41 — TIER S — MON-03 Roman Forum + Palatine Type: HISTORY Words: ~2,400

See also