The ruins of the Augustus Forum look quite picturesque. Thanks to them, we can feel our involvement in the architectural and historical power of the Roman Empire.
Forum Augustus (Foro di Augusto)
Around the period 42 - 2 years BC. e. historians attribute the time of the creation of the Forum of Augustus (Italian: Foro di Augusto, lat. Forum Augusti), which served to praise the emperor. It was located north of the Caesar Forum. The August Forum hosted important meetings, ceremonies, meetings, it was not accessible to ordinary people, there were never fairs. This is one of the 4 Imperial forums in Rome.
What was the August forum
By order of Octavian Augustus, the ensemble of the square was erected from Carrara marble. The emperor decided to turn Rome into a "city of marble" from an old "city of brick."
August Forum Model, photo by bruce mcadam
Construction was led by Greek architects. The forum was built on the site of former residential neighborhoods demolished by imperial order. It was an area 125 m long, 118 m wide, bounded by long semicircular colonnades. In its center in front of the temple was a quadriga statue of Emperor Augustus. The forum was bordered by a high 30-meter wall, which fenced off residential areas and protected from fires.
Temple of Mars Avenger
Temple of Mars the Avenger (Tempio di Marte Ultore), photo by Anna Riboldi
The ensemble was dominated by the white temple of Mars Avenger (Italian: Tempio di Marte Ultore, lat. Mars Ultor), erected in gratitude for the victory at Philippi, with a huge dome and Corinthian columns. It was built on a podium in front of the main square. In the middle of the temple, a statue of the god of Mars was erected, surrounded by figures of Venus and Caesar, inside were the banners of the defeated Parthians and Caesar's sword.
August forum today
Augustus Forum ruins, photo by La goccia
Under Mussolini, part of the August Forum went under the Fori Imperiali Avenue, with no archaeological research being carried out.
From the ensemble, the arched entrance to the forum and part of the temple of Mars (the remainder of the facade wall, columns, two fountains and a staircase that led to the altar) were preserved; a collection of artifacts and part of a semicircular niche (exedra) are in the House of the Knights of Rhodes (Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi). Excavations of recent years have brought many interesting archaeological finds.
Monument to Octavian Augustus near the forum
View of the August forum
Working hours
Daily from 8:30 to 17-19 hours, depending on the time of year.
Weekends: January 1, May 1, December 25.
Tickets
Combined ticket - € 12 (via the Internet - € 14);
children under 17 years old - free of charge.
The ticket gives the right to visit the Imperial Forums and the Roman Forum, Palatine, Colosseum and is valid for 2 days after the first visit.
How to get there
Take line B metro to Colosseo Station;
by tram 3, 8 to the Parco Celio stop;
by bus 51, 75, 85, 87, 118, N2 - to Colloseo.
