-
- Emperor
Augustus
built another forum close to the one of
Caesar.
It was larger and was protected by a high wall. In the center was a Temple
of Mars Ultor (the Avenger), which Augustus promised to erect
during a battle with Philipps in 42 b.C. revenging the death of
Caesar. It stood on a basement 3.5meters high with the steps
preceding it. The temple had eight Corinthian columns on each side,
and apse with the statues of Marte and of Venice. On either side of
the temple were twin basilicas which were almost completely
destroyed during the Renaissance for their marble.
-
- The left-hand basilica had an
extension at the north end known as the Hall of the Colossus,
a square room which held a colossal statue of Augustus or of Mars
(its basement survived). Here was also a series of statues of
principal generals of the Roman army. The Arch of Pantanus
served as the entrance to the forum. Political and religious
ceremonies (nomination of the governors of the provinces, etc.)
took place here.
- The construction of the Forum of
Augustus was completed only a century later by other emperors
- In the Middle Ages it was occupied
by a convent of Basilians and the temple was turned into a Chiesa
di S.Basilio with the added Romanesque bell-tower. Later the
monastery passed to the nuns Dominicans and the new church was
created: Chiesa della Annunziata (it was demolished in
the 30's of the 20th century in course of excavation of the Forum
of Augustus).
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