Travel Tips

Trajan began to build his forum in AD 107 to commemorate his final conquest of Dacia (present day Romania) after successful campaigns in AD 101-2 and 105-6. His new forum was the most ambitious yet, with a vast colonnaded open space centring on an equestrian statue of the emperor, a huge basilica and two big libraries.

Dominating the Forum ruins is Trajan's Column spiralling up 30m (98ft) high. Squalled detailed scenes from the Dacian campaigns, beginning with the Roman's preparing for war and ending with the Dacians being ousted from their homeland, fill the entire length of the column. The reliefs were designed to be seen from viewing platforms located by two libraries.

The market complex is situated directly behind the forum and dates from slightly earlier. It was the ancient Roman equivalent of the modern day shopping centre. There were around 150 shops selling everything from oriental silks and spices to fruit, fresh fish and flowers.

The Forum of Augustus was built to celebrate Augustus's victory in 41 BC over Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Julius Caesar. As a consequence the temple in it's centre was dedicated to Mars the Avenger. The temple, with it's cracked steps and four Corinthian columns, is easily identified (see photo). Originally it had a statue of Mars that looked very like Augustus himself.

The Palatine, once the residence of emperors and aristocrats, is the most pleasant of Rome's ancient sites. The ruins range from the simple house in which Augustus is thought to have lived (in fact he was born here in 63 BC), to the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana, the public and private wings of a luxurious palace built by Domitian.

According to legend the twins Romulus and Remus were brought up on the Palatine by a wolf. Here Romulus, having killed his brother, is said to have founded the village that was destined to become Rome. Traces of mud huts dating back to the 8th century BC have been found on the hill, lending archaeological support to the legend.

The courtyard of the Domus Flavia was lavishly paved with coloured marble. The Roman poets praised this villa as the most splendid.

Domus Augustus was the private home of the emperors.

This extension of the Domus Augustana profected beyond the hillside, supported on giant arches.