| What may be one of the top archaeological locations | | | | A great example of the huge scale that the wealthy |
| in the world is located in a valley just between | | | | Roman Empire was capable of bringing to a project |
| Capitoline Hill and Palatine Hill in Italy, and it is known as | | | | like this is the Temple of Venus and Roma. This |
| the Forum Romanum or the Roman Forum. Even | | | | temple is luxurious and massive because it was built |
| before the first century AD, this valley was a hot bed | | | | specifically for Emperor Hadrian's use. It is on a |
| of political and cultural life for citizens of the Roman | | | | fabulous plateau from which you can see the Roman |
| Empire. | | | | Colosseum in the distance. |
| The Roman Forum was under construction for literally | | | | Almost as amazing is the Temple of Concord. This |
| hundreds of years but by the seventh century BC, it | | | | temple is devoted to peace and upon its completion in |
| was already an important center of culture for the | | | | the western quadrant of the Forum in 367 BC, it |
| Empire. By the beginning of the first millennium, the | | | | became a popular site for Roman citizens. At one time |
| Roman Forum began to take on its final form under | | | | the Temple of Concord was rich with expensive |
| the guidance of Octavian, the son of Julius Caesar. | | | | statues adorned with gold and silver but even now it |
| Because the Roman Forum consisted of not one but | | | | stands as a testimony to the power and prowess of |
| a dozen temples, arches and other buildings, it earned | | | | the mighty Roman Empire. |
| the right to also be called by many "The Great Forum" | | | | There are literally dozens of fascinating buildings to |
| or Forum Magnum. The location was originally marsh | | | | see, including the Temples to Saturn, Pollux and Castor |
| land that the designers drained and utilized to build an | | | | on the grounds of the Forum. These beautiful temples, |
| important cultural melting pot for social interaction, legal | | | | along with many other useful buildings of the Forum, |
| discussions, political discourse and religious activities for | | | | are a testimony not only to the vision of Rome but to |
| royalty and citizens of Rome alike. | | | | the ability of the Roman people to carry out large |
| After the infamous fall of the Roman Empire in the | | | | projects such as this one. |
| fifth century, the Roman Forum went into decay due | | | | Many of the walkways are lined with arches, including |
| to lack of upkeep. By the time the Middle Ages came | | | | the Arch of Septimus Severus and Titus. The Romans |
| along, farmers grazing their cattle on the site had little | | | | invented and perfected the arch, and no one has |
| awareness of the significance of the site. It wasn't until | | | | improved on that design for at least 1000 years. |
| the Renaissance that historians discovered the Forum | | | | Politicians of modern times still like to make speeches |
| again. A project to restore and repair the Roman | | | | from The Rostra in the Roman Forum. If you take a |
| Forum was undertaken in the 18th century and that | | | | moment on your visit to stand under the Rostra, you |
| project is still active to this day. | | | | may feel time slip away and for a moment you are |
| Today if you did get to tour the restored parts of the | | | | standing there in those ancient times. Another site not |
| Roman Forum, the greatness of those buildings would | | | | to miss is a shrine known as the Black Stone or the |
| be evident in the vast assortment of buildings. | | | | "Lapis Niger" because it is another example of the |
| Archaeologists have lovingly rebuilt and repaved the | | | | creative abilities of Roman architects. The Via Sacra |
| streets, and removed the growth and debris that | | | | shrine is also another example of their amazing abilities. |
| centuries of neglect have left there. The | | | | On a trip to Rome, you really have not experienced |
| transformation is so profound that it is open to the | | | | the true history of the area until you have given a day |
| public to tour even today. But if you plan a trip to see | | | | to touring the Roman Forum and taking in some of |
| the Roman Forum, you will not be able to get to see it | | | | these sites. It will give you good perspective not only |
| all in one day. But even if you can only allocate one | | | | on the ability of early civilized man to accomplish great |
| morning to seeing the site, you will come away with a | | | | things but also on mankind's ability to lose it all if we are |
| sense of awe at the glory of the Roman Empire that | | | | not careful. |
| is evident in this restored site. | | | | |