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Aforum (Latin:forum,[1]pl.:fora; Englishpl.: eitherfora orforums) was apublic square in amunicipium, or anycivitas, ofancient Rome reserved primarily for the vending of goods; i.e., a marketplace, along with the buildings used for shops and thestoas used for open stalls. But such fora functioned secondarily for multiple purposes, including as social meeting places for discussion. Many fora were constructed at remote locations along a road by the magistrate responsible for the road, in which case the forum was the only settlement at the site and had its own name, such asForum Popili orForum Livi.[2]
In addition to its standard function as a marketplace, a forum was a gathering place of great social significance, and often the scene of diverse activities, including political discussions and debates, rendezvous, meetings, et cetera. In that case, it supplemented the function of aconciliabulum.
Every municipality (municipium) had a forum. Fora were the first of any civitassynoecized whether Latin, Italic, Etruscan, Greek, Celtic, or other. The first forums were sited between independent villages in the period, known only through archaeology. After the rise of theRoman Republic, the most noted forum of the Roman world—theRoman Forum inRome itself—served as a model of new construction. By the time of the late Republic, expansions refurbishing the forums of the city had inspiredPompey Magnus to create theTheatre of Pompey in 55 BC. His theatre included a massive forum behind the theatre arcades known as thePortico of Pompey (Porticus Pompeii). The structure was the forebear of Julius Caesar's forum and others to follow.
Other major fora are found in Italy. However, they are not to be confused with thepiazza of the modern town, which may have originated from a number of different types of ancient civic centers, or more likely was its own type. While similar in use and function to fora, most were created in the Middle Ages and are often not a part of the original city footprint.
Fora were a regular part of every Roman province in the Republic and theEmpire, with archaeological examples at:
In new Roman towns the forum was usually located at, or just off, the intersection of the main north–south and east–west streets (thecardo anddecumanus). All fora would have a Temple of Jupiter at the north end, and would also contain other temples, as well as thebasilica; a public weights and measures table, so customers at the market could ensure they were not being sold short measures; and would often have the baths nearby. At election times, candidates would use the steps of the temples in the forum to make their election speeches, and would expect their clients to come to support them.
Media related toAncient Roman forums at Wikimedia Commons
