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Roman Forum travel wonder in Rome, Italy |
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Why the It was the political, religious and commercial center of ancient Rome. Though ruins are all that remain, there's enough to conjure up in our minds the mighty temples, basilicas and triumphal arches that stood in the glory days of the Caesars.
Roman Forum
A forum is an open public space. There were many other ancient forums in Rome and beyond. However, the Roman Forum was the classiest.
It sprang modestly from a marsh around 700 BC. It grew and reached its apogee during the reign of Augustus (27 BC to 14 AD). It became a showcase for Rome's supremacy.
From a visitor's perspective, the top seven are:
Yes. They include triumphant marches by returning armies. And there was the infamous Ides of March when Julius Caesar was assassinated.
When the Roman Empire crumbled, the forum deteriorated, was ransacked by invaders, and was cannibalized for its marble for use in construction elsewhere. By the middle ages, the ruins were smothered with accumulated dirt - and were largely forgotten.
Excavation and reassembling began in the 1800s. And those processes continue today.
Buy a quality illustrated printed visual map or guide illustrating what the Roman Forum looked like in it zenith. Knowing what the structures once looked like as you explore the Roman Forum will immensely enhance your appreciation of this wonder.
When to go to Rome Read my at-a-glance charts with tips & insights on Rome's:
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Vatican City Note: Its wonders are not listed in my Italy Guide. Even though the Vatican lies within Rome, it is not part of it or Italy. It's an independent nation. Click to see its gold, silver and bronze medals,
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