Forum of Caesar

Caesar’s Forum is the ruins of the first of the five imperial forums of ancient Rome, preserved in the historic center of the Italian capital. Unlike other Roman sites, Caesar’s Forum was excavated and opened to the public relatively recently. Despite its small size, it is very popular with tourists. The interest in the forum is due to the history of its construction and the personality of its creator. Caesar’s Forum, which is also often called Julius Forum, was erected from 54 to 46 B.C.

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Highlights

Today, only a small rectangular area of 170 by 75 meters remains of the spacious square, which is surrounded on three sides by an arched gallery. A large part of the territory of the ancient forum rests under the green square and the highway Via dei Fori Imperiali. The site, excavated by archaeologists, contains the ruins of an ancient temple, basilica and old buildings. Not long ago, a bronze replica of Caesar’s statue was installed in the square, the marble original of which is exhibited in the Capitol.

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To the north of Caesar’s Forum rise the ruins of the Temple of Venus. Near them you can see the ruins of the Silver Basilica, which served as the Roman stock exchange and was used to exchange money. Archaeologists have dug up the foundations of shops and craft shops along the square, built under the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Most of the buildings of the ancient forum have not survived because they were made of wood rather than durable stone.

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History of Caesar’s Forum

Gaius Julius Caesar became famous as a determined strategist, fearless commander, and wise politician. In ancient Rome, he was respected not only by the elite, but also by the common people. In 54 BC to expand the already existing Roman Forum and strengthen his status Caesar wanted to build a personal forum. One of the reasons for the new construction was that the old forum was becoming cramped for the rapidly growing capital.

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Caesar instructed Marcus Tullius Cicero to buy a suitable plot of land, allocating 60 million sestertii for this purpose. According to other sources, the purchase of the land cost the dictator of the Roman Republic even more, and he spent 100 million sestertii.

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When the land was purchased, construction began, which lasted 8 years – until 46 BC. Here they erected a large temple dedicated to Venus the Parent, from which, according to legend, originated the family of Julius, as well as the Silver Basilica. In addition, the forum housed many of the trophies brought back by Caesar after the war with the Gauls.

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In 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated. Shortly after his death, the forum began to deteriorate. It was not until the reign of Emperor Trajan that Caesar’s forum began to be rebuilt. In the old temple of Venus held the inauguration ceremony of the new emperor and in his honor built a separate column Trajan. After extensive rebuilding, the city held lavish celebrations to reopen Caesar’s Forum in May 113.

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The second major reconstruction of the forum took place when Rome was ruled by Emperor Diocletian. In 283, a great fire occurred in the city, after which the buildings of the forum were erected anew. After Caesar’s first forum, four more imperial forums appeared on the north side of the main Roman forum.

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Sanctuary of Venus

In 48 BC, Caesar’s troops met an army led by his former friend Pompey. It should be noted that Pompey’s 30,000-strong force greatly outnumbered Caesar’s army. Before the battle Caesar made a promise to the goddess Venus, that in case of victory will build a temple in her honor in the new forum. Despite Pompey’s clear advantage, during the battle of Pharsala Caesar managed to win, Pompey’s army was defeated, and he himself fled to Egypt. Caesar then proceeded to erect a new sanctuary in Caesar’s forum.

The temple building was surrounded by a slender colonnade and possessed a podium. Here Caesar worked and held receptions. From the records that have survived from those times, we know that inside the majestic structure stood bronze statues of Cleopatra and Caesar, depicted on horseback. Both statues were covered with a layer of gold. Other sources report that a large portrait of Cleopatra hung on one of the walls of the sanctuary.

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Today, not much has been preserved from the sanctuary of Venus. Above the square rises part of the podium, on which stand three columns of Corinthian order, and above them can be seen a fragment of figural frieze.

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What can be seen in the forum today

The area of Caesar’s Forum in Rome is small, so it doesn’t take long to see it. Archaeological excavations, thanks to which travelers can look at the ruins of ancient buildings, do not stop even today. Part of the territory is always fenced, and specialists work there.

Caesar’s Forum can be accessed daily from 9.00 to 19.00. Admission for adults costs €15, for children €8.

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How to get there

Caesar’s Forum is located in the historic center of Rome, north of the Roman Forum and the Mamertine Prison. It can be reached by buses nos. 51, 85, 87 and 118. Line B trains run to the nearest metro station, Colosseum.