Forum of Caesar and the surrounding area
The
Forum of Caesar is a forum built by Julius Caesar
near the Forum Romanum in Rome in 46 BC.
Caesar decided to construct a forum bearing his name in the northeast section of
the Forum Romanum, of which he purchased a very expensive, select amount of
parcels of land in that area. Forum construction began in 54 BC, and it was
dedicated to Caesar and his deeds in 46 BC upon completion.
The Forum of Caesar originally meant an expansion of the Forum Romanum. The
Forum, however, evolved so that it served two additional purposes. As Caesar
became more and more involved in this project, the Forum became a place for
public business that was related to the Senate in addition to a shrine for
Caesar himself as well as Venus Genetrix.
Before his assassination, Caesar would have the Senate meet him before his
temple, an act deemed very unpopular by the Senate. The Forum of Caesar also had
an effect on the Curia, which Caesar began to reconstruct in 44 BC. This
reconstruction moved the Forum of Caesar much closer to the Curia. The ten
tabernae located on the western side of the Forum and its now close
approximation to the Senate house symbolized the unity that Caesar felt between
him and the Senate.
Caesar also placed a statue of his favourite horse in front of the temple.
Following his assassination, a statue of Caesar riding this horse was added.
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