The Republican Forum is of course in ruins. Actually that there is anything left to be charged for admission to is a bit of a miracle as the place was ransacked for materials for all those countless churches. A few temples have been in part "preserved" by being incorporated into churches, but that is "preserved" in the sense of "raped and pillaged". But with a bit of imagination and a good guide book, you can happily wile away several hours. Well I did anyway. So here we go.
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| Basilica Emilia |
One building that was converted into a church but has been restored since is the Curia, ie the Senate meeting place. It now contains a few bits and bobs of statuary and frescos. And a beautiful marble floor. Would be pleased if my carpets looked this good after 2000 years.
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| Arch of Septimus Severus |
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| Column of Phocas |
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| Temple of Vespasian |
Temple of Castor and Pollux
Temple of Vespasian
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| Temple of Vesta |
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| Santa Maria Antiqua |
The House of the Vestal Virgins. The most impressive part now is the courtyard in the middle surrounded by mostly headless statues. Vestal virgins had a pampered existence, but as the name would suggest they had to remain chaste until they were about 40. The penalty for any philandering male who took their virginity was to be flogged to death in public. Well, that would add a certain frisson to illicit sex wouldn't it?
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| Temple of Romulus, which also serves as a vestibule for a church behind |
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| Santa Maria Nova |
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| Arch of Titus |
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| A school party along the Via Nova, no doubt being severely punished for some misdemeanour by being forced to wear ridiculous santa hats in public. |
Now one takes a right turn up the Palatine Hill which overlooks the Forum, and affords excellent views.
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| The cryptoporticus, a long passage built by Nero |
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| Views from the Terrace of the Farnese Gardens - actually rather blighted by scaffolding etc just to the left. |
The Museo Palatino contains a fair bit of attractive statuary.
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| Probably the best of the exhibits, one of three black marble herms in almost perfect condition (if you forgive a missing arm). |
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| The stadium, which isn't a stadium at all, but a courtyard and gardens for perambulating in the Domus Augustana, also not Augustus' house as such, but the private residence of all the emperors. |
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| Aqueduct of Domitian |
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| Baths of Septimus Severus. impressive for the height of brick building still standing, and for the views across Rome |
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