Every
government has a nerve centre, and ancient Rome was no
exception. Rome as a city needed a centre as well, and
both Rome the empire and Rome the city were controlled
from The Forum of Rome. It was so important and it’s
actions of control and government so revolutionary that
when something (like a theatre for example) is called
“The Forum” this is the building it is named
after. The Roman Forum was not simply the core of an ancient
city; for many it was the centre of the entire world.
From the birth of the empire under Augustus in 31 B.C.,
and for nearly five hundred years thereafter, Rome ruled
from the Forum. From Scotland to the Sahara, and from
Gibraltar to the Euphrates, the Roman Empire was able
to make the world do what it wanted and give it tribute
(or else). |
