- 1
The Lapis Niger (Latin for "Black Stone") is an ancient shrine located in the Roman Forum that dates back to the 6th century BCE. According to legend, the shrine was built over the spot where the body of the legendary Roman king Romulus was buried after he was murdered by his own people.
Interestingly, despite its ancient age and significance, the Lapis Niger was actually discovered by accident in the 19th century. During excavations in the Roman Forum in 1899, archaeologists stumbled upon the Lapis Niger while digging beneath a medieval pavement. The discovery caused a sensation among scholars and archaeologists at the time, nobody expected to find the tomb of a king.
- 2
The Basilica Emilia is that it was one of the most important public buildings in ancient Rome, serving as a meeting place for senators and a center for legal and commercial activities. The original basilica was built in the 2nd century BCE, but it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The ruins of the basilica can still be seen today in the Roman Forum, and they provide a fascinating glimpse into the architecture and engineering of ancient Rome.
- 3
Tempio di Antonino e Faustina
Pass byThe Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina is an ancient Roman temple that was dedicated to the deified emperor Antoninus Pius and his wife, Faustina the Elder. According to legend, the temple was built to commemorate the couple's love for each other.
Antoninus Pius was known for his peaceful reign and his dedication to the arts and sciences, while Faustina the Elder was famous for her beauty and her philanthropic work. The temple was one of the largest and most ornate in Rome, featuring intricate carvings, statues, and other decorations.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina fell into disrepair and was used for various purposes over the centuries, including as a church. Today, the temple's ruins are still visible in the Roman Forum, and they serve as a reminder of the grandeur and majesty of ancient Rome.
- 4
The Regia was an ancient Roman building located in the Roman Forum that served as the official residence of the kings of Rome and later the pontifex maximus, the high priest of Rome. According to legend, the Regia was built after the advice of the goddess Egeria with whom the Roman king Numa Pompilius used to hold meetings. Egeria was said to have advised him on matters of state and religion.
Another interesting fact about the Regia is that it was considered one of the most sacred and important buildings in Rome. The building was associated with many important religious and political ceremonies.
Today, only a few ruins of the Regia remain in the Roman Forum, but they serve as a reminder of the building's rich history and importance in ancient Rome.
- 5
The Temple of Vesta was a significant religious site in ancient Rome, located near the Regia in the Roman Forum. It was where the Vestal Virgins, a group of six priestesses chosen at a young age and required to remain celibate for thirty years, tended to the sacred flame that represented the eternal life of Rome.
The Vestal Virgins were highly respected in ancient Rome, and their status was almost equal to that of the Roman senators. They were responsible for keeping the flame burning at all times, and their purity was considered essential for the well-being of the Roman state. Any breach of their vow of chastity was considered a grave offense, and a Vestal Virgin found guilty of breaking her vow was buried alive as punishment.
- 6
The House was a large complex that consisted of several buildings, including living quarters for the Vestal Virgins, a temple dedicated to Vesta, and various administrative and ritual spaces.
The Vestal Virgins were chosen from among young girls between the ages of six and ten years old who had been selected for their physical and mental purity. Once chosen, they served a term of thirty years, during which time they were expected to remain celibate and perform their religious duties.
The Vestal Virgins were held in high esteem by the Roman people and enjoyed many privileges, including the right to own property and the power to grant clemency to condemned prisoners. They were also exempt from certain laws and were allowed to ride in a carriage, which was a privilege reserved for only the highest-ranking officials.
- 7
In Roman mythology, Juturna was the goddess of fountains, wells, and springs. According to legend, Juturna was a nymph who was desired by the god Iuppiter (Zeus). When Iuppiter tried to force himself upon her, she escaped and was transformed into a spring, which became known as the Juturna Spring.
The spring was believed to have healing powers, and people would come from all over Rome to bathe in its waters.
- 8
According to legend, the twin gods Castor and Pollux, also known as the Dioscuri, played a significant role in the Battle of Lake Regillus, a legendary battle fought between Rome and the Latin League in the late 6th century BCE. After the battle, the Dioscuri were said to have appeared on horseback at the Roman Forum and announced the Roman victory. As a result, a temple was dedicated to them in the Forum to honor their role in the battle and their continued protection of the Roman state. The temple of Dioscuri, also known as the Temple of Castor and Pollux, partially still stands in the Forum today.
Skip the line
Skip the line
Popular
Popular
Skip the line
Skip the line
Popular