Sujata Chaturvedi’s beautiful report of the tour led by Margherita to the Roman Forum on 1 September 2024
The anticipated long queues at the Colosseum due to free entry offered by the Government on a Sunday falling on 1st day of the month (i.e 1.9.2024) proved to be a blessing in disguise as the RomanForum and Palatine Hill got included in our itinerary at the last moment. It was, as though, the famed Roman grandeur and magnificence had beckoned us to experience the captivating vastness of Roman empire and history. With her passion, knowledge and superb articulation Margarita, our guide, brought the entire ambience to life. Walking on the central ‘Sacred Path’ carried us centuries back in the time machine. She had the aura and command of a Roman queen and almost owned the Roman Forum! The makeshift flagstaff which she carried had no less an authority than a royal scepter.
Roman forum or Forum Romanum is located in a valley between the Palatine, Capitoline, and Esquiline Hills and dates over a very long time period ranging from around 500 BCE to 5th century CE. Margarita, very effortlessly, walked us through the centuries which the Forum had witnessed and had become the center of political, religious, and social life in ancient Rome. It had served as a public space for various activities, including political debates, legal proceedings, religious ceremonies, and commerce. We can say that this Forum was the epicenter of ancient Rome and the rulers across time tried to leave their mark here in the form of victory arches,temples, monuments, senate houses and other government buildings. Ironically, the place was given importance by rulers like Nero who persecuted those following Christianity to Constantine, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and legalized Christianity.
Broadly speaking the history of Roman Forum can be divided into 3 phases:
- Period of Monarchy (approx 700-500 BCE)
There were about seven kings during this period who are credited with shaping Roman history. Most important was Romulus, the founder of Rome. The story of Romulus and his twin brother Remus, raised by a she-wolf, is an important part of Roman mythology.
The important king of this period was Numa Pompilius, who is considered the Religious King. The Roman Calendar which we follow is attributed to him. He started the order of priesthoods and vestal virgins.
Like Hinduism, religious practices were polytheistic (worshipping many Gods and Goddesses) and animistic (worshipping natural elements like sun, air, water). Vesta was the Goddess of the home and hearth (the focal point of Roman homes where food was prepared and warmth provided was central to Roman family and state religion. The Temple of Vesta housed the sacred fire of Rome. Vestal virgins were chosen to dedicate their entire lives to maintaining the sacred fire and keep it burning non stop. There was no statue of Goddess Vesta in the temple and she was symbolized solely by the sacred flame. It was believed that the eternal flame symbolized Rome’s prosperity and safety. So, in a way, the well being of Rome was entrusted to Vestal virgins. Rules and regulations were strict forthese Vestal virgins and punishment for any violation was being buried alive.
- The Republican Period (approx 500-25 BCE)
It was a period where, like today, rulers and officials were elected.
Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE) is considered the most important ruler of this period. He was a general and introduced many reforms in governance, but his accumulation of power alarmed the Senate, leading to his assassination by a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius on the Ides of March, 44 BCE. He was assassinated in the theatre of Pompei while conducting a senate meeting. The body was cremated in the Roam Forum. There is no tomb as such but people leave flowers and trinkets on the cremation site. Special commemorations take place on march 15th to mark Caesar’ s death.
An interesting diversion- Caesar salad is not named after Julius Caesar but after Caesar Cardini, the Italian immigrant who invented it exactly 100 years ago (1924). He was running low on ingredients and needed to feed a large group of Californians when he improvised and produced the famous Caesar Salad!!
Though not a ruler but another well known figure from this period was Cicero. He was an eloquent orator, thinker and statesman. How the Roman Forum must have reverberated with his masterly speeches can be imagined. His brilliance must have troubled many that despite being an advocate for the Republic, Cicero was ultimately sidelined during the rise of Julius Caesar and later executed.
- Roman Imperial Period (27 BCE – 476 CE for the Western Roman Empire, and until 1453 CE for the Eastern Roman Empire)
Augustus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar became the first emperor of Roman Empire. It was during his period that Rome saw period of relative stability and prosperity that lasted for over two centuries.
In contrast, Nero, another ruler from this period is the most infamous ruler in Roman history. It is said that while Rome was being destroyed by a massive fire, Nero played violin. The phrase “ Nero fiddled while Rome burnt” is used today also to suggest lack of proficiency and a callous attitude. Nero’s reign ended with a revolt, and he committed suicide.
Titus (79–81 CE) was the Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty and is best known for his role in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, ending the Jewish Revolt. His short reign was marked by significant disasters, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the pantheon of Roman rulers, Titus was seen as a benevolent ruler and was loved by the Roman people. The Arch of Titus was built inside the Roman Forum to commemorate Titus’s victory in the first Jewish-Roman war and 5 month long siege of Jerusalem. The illustrations on the inside of the Arch depict the triumphal Roman procession after the fall of Jerusalem. A seven headed Jewish candle holder Menorah is also depicted.
Marcus Aurelius (161–180 CE) was a philosopher king and is best known for his stoic philosophy and work “ Meditations”. But his decision to appoint his son Commodus as his successor marked the beginning of the empire’s decline.
Constantine the Great (306–337 CE) was the first Christian Emperor and is famous for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and foundedHe Constantinople (modern Istanbul) as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. His reign marked a major turning point in Roman and Christian history.
To place the importance of Roman Forum in perspective, there must be very few monuments which not only predate Christ and Buddha but also span across centuries. Each and every nook and corner of Roman Forum encapsulates an important piece of history. Undoubtedly, it requires a lot more time than we could spend. However, the short visit assisted by our able guide Margarita gave a bird’s eye view of the tumultuous Roman history.
If providence plays kind hope to visit again and be guided by Margarita again with a lot more time on hands!
Sujata Chaturvedi
