Test 4 Review
The Emperors and Ancient Rome
The Palaces of the Emperors, Part I
Which emperor first locates his residence on the Palatine Hill and why?
Augustus was the first emperor to locate his residence on the Palatine Hill. When Augustus was thinking
about where to locate his residence, he knew it needed to have some significance. Augustus was a
master of propaganda, whether it was the types of buildings he built, or the positions of power he held, he
carefully made strategic decisions. Augustus part chooses to locate his residence on the Palatine Hill so
that he is associated with the legends that are linked with its history, and the positive connotations it
relates to. Hercules, Evander, Romulus and Remus all have ties to the Palatine Hill, so Augustus is seen
as a “second founder” of Rome since he is the first emperor. He is establishing something new in Rome,
so he needed justification. He is reminding Romans of his associations to people who are worshipped, yet
he does not want to be too ostentatious.
The Palaces of the Emperor, Part II
Which emperor initiates an “architectural revolution” and what was so revolutionary?
Which emperor builds the first monumental residence on the Palatine Hill and why?
The Imperial Fora, Part I
Which Roman leader first builds his own forum and why?
At the end of the Republic, the Roman Forum became crowded due to the small space being used for
different purposes. Julius Caesar builds his own forum just north of the Roman Forum, which became
known as the Forum of Caesar. This forum was roughly the same size as the original forum, with a similar
rectangular open space surrounded by colonnades, and contained a temple to Venus Genetrix. Since the
area was built in a fantastic location, Caesar had to pay lots of money for the property. This became one
of the largest developments in Rome and would include spectacular buildings. After the Forum of Caesar,
many emperors constructed fora of their own. These fora come together as the Imperial Fora. The Via dei
Fori Imperiali is a road in the center of Rome that takes course through these many fora.
Describe the main features of the forum of Augustus and their purpose.
Following the Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus was constructed in 2 BC. The Forum of Augustus
was built branching off from Caesar’s forum. The main feature of the Forum of Augustus was a temple
dedicated to Mars Ultor. Augustus was a master of propaganda, and the decoration of the Forum is
consistent with symbolic messages glorifying himself, his family, and his achievements. In the cella were
statues of Venus on one side and the deified Caesar on the other. On the pediment, Mars was in the
center, with Venus on the right, and Romulus next to her. The pediment was aligned with two half-circular
exedra. In the exedra was a statue of Aeneas and in other “niches” were summi viri, or “great men” from
Rome’s history. The exedra and the temple formed an intersection of literal and symbolic axes that tied
Augustus and the founders of the Roman people, the city, and Mars and Venus. In the center was a
statue of Augustus in military dress. The long sides of the Forum were flanked by porticoes made of
columns in marble. Inside the porticoes, along both sides had a series of niches holding numerous
statues. At the Forum, the Senate would meet to discuss war and peace. Governors would make
offerings before heading out to their provinces. This Forum is associated with the assumption of toga
virilis by young men, signifying their coming of military age. Lastly, there were legal and commercial
activities held.
Test 4 Review
The Imperial Fora, Part II
Describe the main features of the forum of Trajan and their purpose
The largest of the imperial for a was the Forum of Trajan in the second century AD. It was attached to
other existing imperial fora. The Foru of Trajan was a colossal complex, stretching over 300 meters long.
There was a large courtyard surrounded by columns with two exedras opening off it, which imitated the
Forum of Augustus. After this came the Basilica Ulpia, where legal and commercial activities took place,
along with manumission ceremonies. Beyond this was Trajan’s Column, which was flanked by two
libraries, one Greek and one Latin. Trajan’s Column commemorates emperor Trajan’s victory in the
Dacian Wars, and Trajan’s ashes were buried in a chamber at the base of the column. The Column also
indicates the height of excavated land. In the Forum were statues of captured Dacian prisoners and
statues of notable Roman statesmen and generals that were set in the intercolumnar spaces of the
porticoes. The equestrian satue of Trajan once stood in the centre of the plaze of Trajan’s Forum. Several
coin variants depict Trajan on horseback. The equestrian statue of Trajan probably influenced the design
of the surviving statue of Marcus Aurelius.
Victory Monuments and Emperors’ Tombs
Describe the images and significance of at least one arch, column, and mausoleum (for which you may
discuss architectural form instead of images).
Ostia, An Industrial Port City
History of Ostia and Sea Travel
Why is Ostia important for Rome’s safety and growth?
