The Forum Romanum II

Last Thursday, we went to visit the Forum for the second time. A number of the sites we visited were off-limits to the average tourist, but, then again, we are not average tourists.
We had special permission to enter the Basilica Julia. Above you can see students climbing over the fence. A basilica was a multi-purpose public building whose functions did not include religious activities. Initially the site of the Bailica Sempronia, Julius Caesar began construction of the building in 54 BC (possibly a reaction to Pompey's construction of the Theater of Pompey in 55 BC) while he was off campaigning in Gaul. After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, Augustus finished his adopted father's work.

This student decided to wear a toga during his site presentation as he described the function's of the rostra (situated at the far right). The rostra was basically a speaker's platform which got its name from the prows of ships mounted upon it. Caesar had it moved from the comitium to a position between the Curia Julia, Basilica Julia, and Basilica Aemilia.

After Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators, his body was displayed in the Forum by Mark Antony. Mark Antony whipped the crowed into a frenzy with a passionate funeral oration. The crowd, amid Antony's protestations, lit a pyre in the forum and cremated Caesar. Later, a temple to Divus Julius was built on the site of his cremation. To this day, people honor the man's memory by putting flowers on the site.

Here, Professor Adam (Serfass) gives a lecture in the Basilica Aemilia, across from the Basilica Julia. Although the Basilica was erected by the Aemilii, Julius Caesar financed its renovation in accordance with his other construction projects. You may notice that Professor Serfass is wearing a scarf and hat. It was a surprisingly cold day, and most of us students were unprepared for the unexpected blasts of cold wind.

Here, 3 students are standing in front of the forum. Notice the Curia Julia (senate meeting house), the big square building in the background. After Clodius' supporters burned down the Curia Hostilia in a funeral gone awry, Caesar paved over the comitium and built a new Curia. Caesar's changes to the Forum Romanum parallels his demolishment of the old political order.