THE ROMAN FORUM
OF 179 AD
This model of the Roman Forum was completed by Robert Garbisch, (aka Centurio Marcus Antonius Lucius), of Legio X Fretensis in 1982. It is currently on display in the Goldfarb Library at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. It took two and one half years to complete. 95% of the 350 statues in the model were made by Robert Garbisch out of clay. There are over 720 Roman citizens living in this model and carrying on with their lives. This particular day in the Forum is the last visit by the good Emperor Marcus Aurelius to Rome during the summer of 179 AD (932 AUC). Several of the items placed here were done so from educated guesses. When the Centurio visited Rome, he found one of the items he had placed in his model on guesswork, a circle game pattern reported to be engraved on the Forum pavement, was just about in the exact same place where he had placed it. Clearly, if time travel were possible, our Centurio would have no problems at all in navigating around the Forum.
This model has been the subject of various news articles written about it, and at least three TV news coverages on it. As you check out the images below, it will become clear why.
Centurio
Marcus also made another model of the Forum, dated 204 AD, that took less
than two years to construct. It was on display at the Carole &
Barre Kay Museum of Miniatures in Los Angeles. This museum has recently
closed, and the fate of this model is unknown at this time.
Please
click on the smaller pictures to see larger versions with text
As you enter The Forum along the Sacra Via, you encounter the simple, yet impressive arch of the Fornix Fabianus.
Beyound the Fornix Fabianus lies another more impressive imperial arch dedicated to that beloved emperor, Augustus Caesar, which is located next to the Temple of Divine Julius (Caesar)
Before you reach the Arch of Augustus, you pass by the royal Regia, the former official state home of the old Roman kings.
Across from the Fornix Fabianus, lies the colorful Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, which is dedicated to this emperor's love for his beautiful wife.
Across from the Regia is one of the most holy of all the temples in Rome, the Vesta Aedes, where the Vestal Virgins attend to the sacred fire of Rome.
Another sacred place in early Roman history is the Lacus Juturnae. This water spring marks the place where the twins Castor and Pollux had announced a great military victory for Rome.
A closer view reveals patrons enjoying the health benefits received from this holy spring, the Lacus Juturnae.
An
aerial view of the south side of the Forum shows the front of the Temple
Castors
and the Basilica Julia.
Shown here is a faithful believer offering a sacrifice to Juturnae.
A
closer look at two of the imperial column monuments at the corner of the
Sacra
Via and the Vicus Tuscus. This latter road will take you
to the famous Circus Maximus.
From the top level of the Basilica Julia we look across to its counterpart to see the equally impressive Basilica Aemilia.
A
closer look at two shrines: The Cloacina Sacrum and the Ianus
Germinus, which is dedicated to the god Janus.
The Cloacina Sacrum. There is a tragic love story involved here.
A monumental column honoring a Roman military victory.
Another elaborate honorary column.
The infamous Lacus Servilius fountain where Sulla had displayed the severed heads of senators.
The west end of the Forum with the Temple of Vespasian and the Temple of Concord, backed by the Tabularium.
A close up view of the Porticus Decorum Consentium, a courtyard dedicated to the twelve most important Roman gods and goddesses.
A front view of the Temple of Vespasian.
A front view of the beautiful Temple of Concord, which was dedicated as a temple of peace between the Plebeian class and the more wealthy Patricians.
What a beautiful day for viewing the impressive south side of the Forum.
Gathered here is a small crowd to hear a Senator speak from the elevated platform of the Rosta Augustus.
Next to the Rosta Augustus lies the Schola Xanthi and the Arch of Tiberius.
Elevated to an impressive height is this holy Temple of Saturn, one of the early gods who helped to found Rome.
Another more distant view of the Temple of Saturn.
Shown
here are two more ancient holy sites--the Lacus Curtius and the
Ficus
Olea Vitis.
The fearful Carcer Mamestinus/Tullianum. This Roman prison was used to hold the accused until the Senate had passed judgement.
A closer street level view of the Carcer.
A most revered site; the Ficus Rominalis. It is told that here was the place where the twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were suckled by the she-wolf under this holy tree.
A close up view of the sacred shrine Volcanal.
Interior lamps light up the hallways and rooms of the Basilica Julia.
Hail Caesar! Passing in front of the Basilica Aemilia is shown here the popular Emperor Marcus Aurelius, mounted on his horse on the left side, with no head cover.
Going to a temple ritual is this parade of the traditional holy sacrificial animals: a ram, a bull and a pig.
A closer look at the front of the Senate house, the Curia Julia.
An aerial view of the inner garden of the Senate: the Atrium Minervae.