Regio VIII Forum Romanum
The Regio VIII Forum Romanum Magnum is the eighth regio of imperial Rome, under Augustus's administrative reform. Regio VIII took its name from the Roman Forum, the political centre of Ancient Rome.
Geographic extent and important features
Regio VIII was the central region of Rome, both geographically and politically. In extent, the region was bordered by the
The region was dominated by the massive sanctuary of Rome that sat on the crown of the Capitoline, the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. Known as the Golden Capitol, the temple's roof was covered with gilt metal tiles, the bases and capitals of its columns were gilt, as were the gates, and it was decorated with gilt statues and monuments.[2] Descending by the Clivus Capitolinus, on this stretch of road were the Temples of Concord, Saturn, and Vespasian and Titus. On the slope of the Capitoline, below the Temple of Jupiter stood the Tabularium, while close by the Temple of Concord stood the temple dedicated to the Genius Populi Romani[3] which itself stood adjacent to the most ancient of the three Rostra that were erected at various points across the Forum.[4]
This part of the Forum also contained the
Beside the Curia Julia along the Argiletum stood the Temple of Janus Geminus. Further along stood the Basilica Argentaria, and although beside it stood the Basilica Aemilia, the Aemilia formed part of the fourth region. Across the Forum on its southern side facing the Aemilia was the Basilica Julia, rebuilt by Diocletian after a fire destroyed the earlier structure. This part of the Forum contained the Vicus Jugarius, the Graecostasis, the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the Temple of Vesta. The southern portion of the region then terminated at the Arch of Augustus.
Moving north from the Arch of Septimius Severus, the region contained the collective
This region also included the
Subdivisions
At the turn of the 5th century, the Regio was divided into 34
Notes
References
- Platner, Samuel Ball, A Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome, Oxford University Press (1929) (online version)
- Gregorovius, Ferdinand, History of the City of Rome in the Middle Ages, Vol. 1, (1894)
- DISCRIPTIO XIIII REGIONVM VRBIS ROMÆ, Curiosum - Notitia. 4th-century descriptions of the regions of Rome and their main buildings. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019.