Cesare's Forum
| This forum was the first
one of the five Imprial Fora, built in 51-41 b.C. by Julius Caesar after
the conquering of Gaul, which supplied this construction with the needed
financial resources. It was located on a square of circa 160m x 75m. On
the short northern side of it was erected a Tempio di Venere
Genitrice (Temple of Venus Genetrix), from whom Julius Caesar
claimed descent. It contained a statue of the Goddess and a collection
of paintings in its portico. The base of the temple survived till our
days, and three of its Corinthian columns were re-erected.
The temple was reconstructed under Traian, who added Basilica Argentaria, or exchange building, and five large shops over which was an extensive public lavatory (remains are still visible). In the center of Fortum was an imposing equestrian statue of Ceasar in gilded bronze.
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