Roman Forum, Rome

The Roman Forum was the center around which Ancient Rome developed. It was a center of trade, religion, prostitution, the judiciary. The best view of the Roman Forum is revealed from Campidoglio Street or from the steps of the Senate Palace on Campidoglio Square.
The Temple of Castor and Pollux is one of the oldest temples of the Roman Forum. To date, only 3 Corinthian-style columns have survived, each 15 meters high. At this place until 484 BC there was a temple dedicated to the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of the god Jupiter. The temple was built by order of the dictator's son Aulus Postumus Albinus on the occasion of the victory over Tarquinius Gordian at Lake Regil in Lazio (499 BC), in which, according to legend, the twin brothers appeared and helped him. In the first century AD. by order of Tiberius the temple was renovated.
The Temple of Saturn was built around 489 BC soon after the victory over the Etruscan kings of the Tarquin family. The Temple of Saturn is dedicated to agriculture, as Rome was believed to derive its power from agricultural skills. 
The temple burned down several times, but in 42 BC was rebuilt after the fire during the reign of Karin (283 AD). During the Republic, the temple served as a treasury, and therefore was called the Aerarium. In the temple every December 17 began the annual festivals dedicated to the god Saturn - Saturnalia.
The Temple of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, is located on the Roman Forum, not far from the Temple of Caesar. It is a round temple surrounded by 20 Corinthian-style columns. There the Vestals, the priestesses of the goddess Vesta, constantly maintained a sacred fire, the personification of the well-being of the city. From here, on the first day of the New Year (March 1), the citizens of Rome ritually lit the fire for the hearth.
All the temples of Vesta are round and their entrances face east, which symbolizes the connection of the fire of Vesta and the Sun as the source of life. The Temple of Vesta at the Roman Forum was built in the 3rd century BC.
The Temple of Venus and Roma is the largest known Roman temple in ancient Rome. It is located on the east side of the Roman Forum, near the Colosseum. It is dedicated to the goddesses Venus and Roma Aeterna. The temple was built by the Roman emperor Hadrian. The construction of the temple began in 121 and ended in 141 during the reign of Emperor Antonin Pius. In 307 it was partially burned down and restored by Emperor Maxentius.
The Antoninus and Faustina Temple is located on the Roman Forum. The temple was built in 141 AD. by order of Emperor Antoninus Pius in honor of his late wife Faustina. In the 11th century the church was remodeled in the church of St. Lorenzo in Miranda, and is therefore well preserved to this day.
The Temple of Vespasian, located in the western part of the Roman Forum, was started by Titus after the death of his father, Vespasian, and was completed and dedicated to Titus and Vespasian by his brother Domitian, after Titus died two years later. Some of the friezes are preserved in the nearby Tabularium, part of the Capitol Museum. Here is located the temple of Romulus, which is part of the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian.
The Temple of Concord is located on the Roman Forum. The temple was probably built by the Roman general Mark Fury Camille and is dedicated to Concordia, the ancient Roman goddess of consent, as a symbol of the end of discord between patricians and plebeians in 367 BC is partially buried under the staircase leading to the Capitol. Basilica Julia is the basilica of the Roman Forum, a gathering place for the Roman Senate. Trials have also taken place there. The basilica measures 101 by 49 meters and was built in 54-44 by Gaius Julius Caesar on the site of the Basilica Sempronia. Construction was completed in August, but after a few years the building completely burned down and was rebuilt in 12 AD by Octavian. In a fire in 283 the basilica was badly damaged and restored under Emperor Diocletian.
The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine is the largest building ever built at the Roman Forum. It began in 308 during the reign of Emperor Maxentius and was completed by his successor, Constantine the Great, in 312.
Even by ancient Roman standards, the size of the basilica is huge - the area of ​​the nave is more than 4,000 square meters and the height of the arches is 39 meters. The walls of the basilica were made of marble slabs and the floor was covered with colored marble. The Baths of Caracalla and the Baths of Diocletian were used as an architectural model in its construction. A colossal statue of Constantine towered over the temple.
The Basilica of Constantine was not only used for religious purposes. Business meetings were also held there; the city council also met there, and during the 1960 Summer Olympics. wrestling competitions are held under the ancient arches.
The Arch of Titus in the eastern part of the Roman Forum was built in 81 AD, in honor of the conquest of Jerusalem.