Umbilicus urbis Romae
The Umbilicus Urbis Romae (
History
Roman legend related that Romulus, when he founded the city, had a circular pit dug in the Forum. The first fruits of the year were thrown into this pit as a sacrifice and all new citizens of Rome had to throw in a handful of dirt from their place of origin.[1]
The
The original masonry Umbilicus was probably constructed in the 2nd century BC. The existing ruins, however, are from the time of the Emperor Septimius Severus. The construction of his triumphal arch in 203 AD encroached upon the ancient Umbilicus, which was recreated to allow more space. Fragments of the older monument were used in the new one.
The Umbilicus is believed to be a separate structure from the Milliarium Aureum, which was built nearby by Augustus (c. 20 BC) and served much the same purpose for distance reference.
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Entrance to the brick structure
See also
- Mundus Cereris
- Milion of Constantinople
- Kilometre Zero
- Datum (geodesy)
References
- ^ "The Parallel Lives by Plutarch". Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press.
- Gilbert J. Gorski; James E. Packer (11 June 2015). The Roman Forum: A Reconstruction and Architectural Guide. Cambridge University Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-521-19244-6.
41°53′33.82″N 12°29′4.44″E / 41.8927278°N 12.4845667°E