Download Forum of Augustus

Yifan Song
5/30/15
Forum of Augustus
"Should we not mention among our truly noble buildings...the Forum of Augustus...buildings the
most beautiful the world has ever seen?" – Pliny, Natural History (XXXVI.102)
Background on Emperor Augustus
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Became first Roman emperor in 27BC
Also named Octavian
Great nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar
Avenged Julius Caesar’s death by defeating his assassins at the 42BC Battle of Philippi
Defeated his main rival Mark Antony at the 31 BC Battle of Actium
Initiated two centuries of relative peace, Pax Romana
Enlarged the Roman Empire
Reformed taxation, road networks, and postal service
Established the Praetorian Guard, police force, firefighting service
Rebuilt much of Rome
Construction
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At the Battle of Philippi, Augustus vowed to build a temple honoring Mars, god of war.
In his will, Julius Caesar also stated his wish to create a Temple to Mars Ultor (the
Avenger) “that is greater than any in existence.”
Augustus planned for the temple to be built in a new forum named after himself
Construction began 20BC, around the time when Augustus negotiated the return of the
Roman battle standards lost to the Parthians.
The forum was built on land previously bought by Augustus for 100 million sesterces,
roughly 1.256 billion US dollars.
Not enough space for the originally planned forum so plans had to be altered. Thus, the
Forum became asymmetric.
After some difficulties, it was completed in 2 BC.
Material
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Mainly built of ashlar blocks of peperino tufa with Carrara marble
Forum was made of material from all over the Empire
Enclosing walls made of local Roman stone, symbolizing how the empire may be
composed of many different nationalities but they are all defended and ruled by Rome
Purpose and Use
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Main purpose was to house the Temple of Mars Ultor
Legal proceedings
Generals marched off to battle from this Forum
Yifan Song
5/30/15
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Senate met here to discuss military policy, such as awarding triumphs, etc.
Victorious generals dedicated their spoils to Mars
Loot captured in battle often stored here
Young men assumed their togas here, a coming-of-age ceremony.
Statues
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Statue of Augustus in the middle of the Forum
Statues of Mars and Venus located within the Temple
Total of 108 busts of Roman triumphatores as well as all the men in the Julian-Claudian
lineage traced back all the way to Aeneas
Later history
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Dedication of Trajan’s Forum led to decline of this forum
Last mentioned in 395AD
Systematically dismantled in early 6th century after damage from earthquakes and wars
Basilian monastery built in 9th century
Largely forgotten until today