VIA ALESSANDRINA (1570)
In the second half of the sixteenth century the Cardinal Michele Bonelli (1541 - 1598), nephew of pope Pio V Ghislieri (1566 - 1572), initiated the city planning in the area of the Imperial Fora which was then crowded with residential sectors together with herb gardens and large landscape areas.
The cardinal was nicknamed "Alessandrino" for he was born nearby Alessandria in the Piemonte region. He rebuilt the disorderly medieval Street system and transformed it into an orthogonal grid pivoted to a new road opened in 1570 and over 500 m long. The new road was named "Alessandrina" after its builder. The entire neighborhood was restructured and was also named "Alessandrino" in honor of cardinale Bonelli.
The churches and houses that flanked both sides of the road were demolished on the occasion of the excavations carried out during the fascist era, between 1924 and 1932, in order to open the new via dei Fori Imperiali. Despite the fact that the road is today completely detached from its original populated context and the fact that its layout prevents an accurate reading of the Forum of Augustus, Nerva and Trajan, its position allows for a unique and suggestive viewpoint of the ancient ruins.
IMPERIAL FORA
Plan of the Imperial Fora
Churches named " della Madonna di Loreto" and "del nome di Maria" near the Colonna Traiana (Salita al Monte Quirinale) - Print by PIRANESI
THE FORUM OF TRAJAN ( A.D.112 - 113)
This forum
was built on the order of the emperor Trajan with the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia (which ended in 106) and was
inaugurated in 112, while Trajan's Column was erected and then inaugurated in
113.
To build
this monumental complex, extensive excavations were required which
eliminated the sides of the Quirinal and Capitoline Hills; these closed
the valley occupied by the Imperial forums toward the Campus Martius. The project of the Forum was completely attributed to the architect Apollodorus of Damascus. During the time of the construction, several other projects took place: the construction of the Markets of Trajan, the renovation of the Caesar's Forum (where the Basilica Argentaria was built) and the Temple of Venus Genetrix.
The main entrance to the forum was on the southern side: a triumphal arch surmounted by a statue of Trajan in a six-horse chariot. The Basilica Ulpia lay at the
north end of the piazza, which was cobbled with rectangular blocks of white marble and decorated by a large equestrian statue of
Trajan. The Forum was built from a vast square measuring 200 x 120 m, flanked by porticoes, with exedrae on two sides. On either side of the piazza were markets, also housed by the exedrae.
North of the Basilica was a smaller piazza, with a temple dedicated to the deified Trajan on the far north side facing inwards. Directly north of the Basilica Ulpia
on either side of the forum were two libraries, one housing Latin documents and
the other Greek documents. Between the libraries was the 38 m Trajan's column.
In modern times only a section of the markets and the column of Trajan
remain. A number of columns which historically formed the Basilica Ulpia
remained on site, and have been re-erected. The construction of the Via dei Fori Imperiali in 1933 covered a number of these columns, which remain visible under the
arches on which the road runs.
Reconstruction of Trajan's Forum By Italo Gismondi (Museo della Civiltà Romana)
(GNU Free Documentation Licence - user: Forma mentis)
Sezione ricostruttiva dell'emiciclo e del portico orientale del Foro di Traiano
THE SIDE PORTICOES
The square of the Forum of Trajan was flanked by two deep porticoes (15 m) which opened up to large hemicycles with a diameter of 40.
The porticoes facades were supported by flute Corinthian columns made of Pavonazzetto Marble coming from modern day Turkey and characterized by the typical purple veins against a white background. Above the columns an attic displayed large marble shields, clipei, with portraits alternating with Dacian captives. A second row of statues was perhaps placed as acroteria along the top cornice of the porticoes.
The images of Dacians reminded the viewer not only of the wars fought by Trajan in Dacia (A.D. 101-102 and 105-106) but also of the exceedingly rich booty that Rome gained from the conquest and that was used to finance the construction of the Forum. The large portraits on the clipei depicted members of the imperial family and famous men to ideally expand the portrait gallery displayed in the adjacent Forum of Augustus.
The porticoes were decorated with splendid Marble floors and were perhaps arranged in two levels in correspondance of the attic. Other colossal White Marble statues of famous men were housed in the niches within the two large hemicycles where tribunals were held, similar to those existing in the Ulpia Basilica.
The Forum of Trajan was in fact a large palace of justice where law related matters were administered with regard to the Whole empire.
THE SOUTHERN PORTICOED COURT
The images of Dacians reminded the viewer not only of the wars fought by Trajan in Dacia (A.D. 101-102 and 105-106) but also of the exceedingly rich booty that Rome gained from the conquest and that was used to finance the construction of the Forum. The large portraits on the clipei depicted members of the imperial family and famous men to ideally expand the portrait gallery displayed in the adjacent Forum of Augustus.
The porticoes were decorated with splendid Marble floors and were perhaps arranged in two levels in correspondance of the attic. Other colossal White Marble statues of famous men were housed in the niches within the two large hemicycles where tribunals were held, similar to those existing in the Ulpia Basilica.
The Forum of Trajan was in fact a large palace of justice where law related matters were administered with regard to the Whole empire.
THE SOUTHERN PORTICOED COURT
The excavations carried out between 1998 and 200 led to important results for our understanding of the Forum of Trajan.
Before the excavations, it was commonly believed that a large square served as passage between the Forum of Augustus and that of Trajan.
The new archaeological data allowed for a more accurate reconstruction of a three-sided court with porticoes decorated with column marbles.
The three sections of the portico were supported by smooth Corinthian columns made of Cipollino Marble with grey veins and paved with Marble slabs alternating Cipollino and pink-red Portasanta Marble.
During the excavation a segment of the frieze from the trabeation was brought to light. The piece was decorated with pairs of winged griffins and tripods. The theme of decoration refers to the mythical context between Hercules and Apollo won by the latter. On the top of the portico an inscriptions with gilded bronze letters celebrated the construction of the monument by Trajan, made possible by the booty obtained after his victory on the Dacian people (A.D. 101-102 105-106).
Reconstruction of the square and the southern side of the forum of Trajan (R.Meneghini/Inklink)
Reconstructive view of the Southern porticoed court
Trajan's column
Trajan's column from Palazzo dei Cavalieri di Malta
Reconstructive view of the Southern porticoed court
Trajan's column
Trajan's column from Palazzo dei Cavalieri di Malta
Interior of the Trajan's Markets
Trajan's Markets
|
Trajan's Market is the modern name of a complex consisting of buildings and streets arranged on six levels. The structure was realized to contain the cut executed on the Quirinal Hill in order to gain space for the Forum of Trajan, at the beginning of the second century A.D. Built with a concrete core and a brick facing, the structure is exemplary of Roman engineering. The plan and elevation are designed to adjust to the available space and changes of level.
The arcades in the Trajan Market were considered a shopping mall. Nowadays the compound is considered a multifunctional center, where most of the rooms housed offices or were in relation to the administrative and judicial activities held in the Imperial Fora. From the forum one can enjoy the view of the semicircular facade of the Great Hemicycle flanked by two half-domed halls. |
Recent excavations
Trajan's Column
THE FORUM OF AUGUSTUS (2 B.C.)
The Forum of Augustus was flanked by porticoes. Along the curved long sides the facade was decorated with fluted Corinthian columns made of Giallo Antico Marble coming from modern day Tunisia. The columns supported an attic decorated with Caryatids modeled on those from the Erechtheum in athens and alternating with large Marble shields bearing heads of deities in the centre. The porticoes floors displayed rich colored Marble patterns and opened up to a pair of hemicycles with a diameter of 40 m.
The western pair of hemicycles were demolished during the construction of the Forum of Nerva and the Forum of Trajan, so that the porticoes in the Forum of Augustus were left with only one hemicycle each.
Ancient sources and archaeologvical discoveries allow us to reconstruct these spaces as furnished with a gallery of statues portraying famous men of Rome (summi viri) as well as members of the Julia dynasty to which Augustus himself belonged.
Trials would be held inside the hemicycles by the ancient Roman judges (praetores).
The temple of Mars Ultor ("Mars the Avenger")
The temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) occupied the centre of the eastern side of the Forum of Augustus. The sanctuary was dedicated by Octavian Augustus in 42 b.c. on the eve of the battle of Philippi to avenge the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Ancient reliefs display the fronton of the temple which bore the statues of Mars and Venus in the centre as the mythical ancestors of the Romans and the Julia family, to which both Julius Caesar and Octavian, his adopted son, belonged.
To the side of the divine couple there were the personifications of Fortune, Rome, Palatine and the Tiber, as well as Romulus. The statuary Group was probably colored, so that the different characters could be easily identified from below.
The significance of this Group lies in the legitimization of power for the Julia family, represented as descendin from Venus and Aeneas and connected with the mythic origins of the city.
Before battle, military generals set off from the Temple of Mars, after attending a commencement ceremony. The Senate met at the Temple when discussing war and the victorious generals dedicated their spoils from their triumphs to Mars at the altar. Arms and other stolen goods from the enemy, or booty, recovered from battle were often stored in the Forum as well.
The temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) occupied the centre of the eastern side of the Forum of Augustus. The sanctuary was dedicated by Octavian Augustus in 42 b.c. on the eve of the battle of Philippi to avenge the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Ancient reliefs display the fronton of the temple which bore the statues of Mars and Venus in the centre as the mythical ancestors of the Romans and the Julia family, to which both Julius Caesar and Octavian, his adopted son, belonged.
To the side of the divine couple there were the personifications of Fortune, Rome, Palatine and the Tiber, as well as Romulus. The statuary Group was probably colored, so that the different characters could be easily identified from below.
The significance of this Group lies in the legitimization of power for the Julia family, represented as descendin from Venus and Aeneas and connected with the mythic origins of the city.
Before battle, military generals set off from the Temple of Mars, after attending a commencement ceremony. The Senate met at the Temple when discussing war and the victorious generals dedicated their spoils from their triumphs to Mars at the altar. Arms and other stolen goods from the enemy, or booty, recovered from battle were often stored in the Forum as well.
This complex lies at right angles to the Forum of Caesar. The temple consists of a
very tall wall, and this still distinguishes itself from the popular
neighbourhood Suburra. This high wall served as a
firebreak, protecting the Forum area from the frequent conflagrations from
which Rome suffered. The rectangular square had long deep porticos with a
surface that widened into large semicircular exedras.
Room of the Colossus
Reconstruction of the room of the Colossus
THE SQUARE
Between 2000 and 2006 Roma Capitale carried out an excavation in the Forum of Augustus which brought to light part of the central area, streching for approximately 500 square meters. The square was originally paved with Marble slabs coming from Luni (modern day Carrara) and was likely decorated with several statues.
Starting from the second half of the sixteenth century, an intense building activity was undertaken to reorganize the so-called Quartiere Alessandrino. The structures were built right on top of the Forum of Augustus whose pavement was covered by the foundations of the new buildings. This transformation caused the complete removal of the surviving decoration and exposed the concrete foundation of the pavement together with traces of the Marble slabs.
However, the analysis of the rich archaeological stratification showed that, by the time these new structures were built, the Marble paving of the forum had longbeen removed. The area had already been abandoned, with consequent natural soil accumulation, during the Early Middle Ages (ninth-tenth century). The construction of the nearby monastery, built during the ninth century on the basement of the temple of Mars Ultor, could explain the removal of Marble and other materials from the square of the forum.
Recent excavations
FORUM OF NERVA (97 A.D.)
TEMPLE OF MINERVA AND SO-CALLED "COLONNACCE"
During the turbulent times comprised between A.D. 85 and 95, the area located between Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus and the Templum Pacis underwent several transformations and was finally chosen for the constuction of a fourth forum under the emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96).Domitian was murdered in 96 and the new forum was inaugurated in 97 by his successor Nerva who completed the construction: so the forum took his name.
The long and narrow space available for the new forum did not allow the planning of porticoes; therefore there were colonnades and trabeation projecting inward from the outer wall.
Out of these colonnades, probably made up of fifty colums, only two columns survive today; they are called "Colonnacce" for their ruined appearence. The colums were made of Pavonazzetto Marble, typically displaying purple veins against a white background. Above the projections there were metopes depicting the people conquered by Rome which decorated the attic. One of these metopes, which used to be interpreted as representing Minerva, can be seen today in its original position above the "Colonnacce" trabeation displayed sories of deities as it can be seen from the preserved section.
A temple
dedicated to Minerva dominated the western end, behind which
was a monumental entrance. The temple was embedded in the center of the short western side of the forum. The temple had six columns in the facade and had an uncommonly downward tilted tympanum. This survived in a good state of preservation until 1606, wnen pope Paul V (1605 - 1621) abolished it completely to employ marble as construction material.
View of the ruins of the Forum of Nerva
TEMPLUM PACIS
Reconstruction of Pacis Templum
The Temple of Peace is also known as the Forum of Vespasian, because it was built under
Emperor Vespasian between the years 70 - 75 A.D., after the civil wars of succession of the empire and the bloody repression of the Jewish revolt. The shrine was called Templum Pacis (Temple of Peace) or Forum of peace. The temple faced the Velian Hill (in the direction of the Colosseum).
The complex became an integral part of the five Imperial Forums being the third in chronological order after the forums of Caesar and Augustus and prior to those of Nerva and Trajan. It differed profoundly from these complexes because of its function. The Imperial Forums were mainly used for the administration of justice, as a court, in addition to a place of libraries and legal archives. The Forum of Peace hosted a rich collection of sculptures and paintings, along with a famous scientific and literary library (the "Biblioteca Pacis"). In a hall, next to the temple, was the large marble plan of the ancient Rome, known as the Forma Urbis Romae.
The
temple was constructed as a large apsidal hall that opened up like an exedra at the bottom of the portic. A row of columns distinguished the portico from
the temple.
A = Hall of the Forma Urbis and Hall of the cult of peace
B = Area excavated by the Department for the Cultural Heritage of the city of Rome between 1998 - 2000 corresponding to the North-west area of the ancient square
THE FORUM OF CAESAR
The Forum
of Caesar was constructed as an extension to the Roman Forum. The Forum was
used as a replacement venue to the Roman Forum for public affairs as well as
government. It was also designed as a celebration of Caesar's power. Caesar had
placed, on the front of his forum, a temple devoted to Venus Genitrix,
since Caesar's family (gens Julia) claimed to descend by Venus through Aeneas.
The choice of the Forum site carried a
meaning: the future dictator didn't want to be far from the central power,
represented in the Curia, seat of the Senate.
Area of the forum of Caesar in the tenth century (R.Meneghini/R.Santangeli Valenzani/Studio Inklink)
The Forum of Caesar and the temple of Venus Genitrix
San Giuseppe dei Falegnami and the Curia (on the left)
The roman Forum seen from the Forum of Caesar
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Area of the Velian Hill and the Valley of the Colosseum
The Velia, a small, irregularly-shaped hill the Esquiline, the valley of the Colosseum, the Palatine and the valley of the Roman Forum, was one of the most important spots in early Rome. Home to aristocratic dwellings and ancient cults, the hill, already in the archaic age, saw its area reduced as constructions were extended to gradually occupy the Palatine and the Roman Forum and to make room for the space surrounding the Colosseum.
Area of the Velia Hill and the Valley of the Colosseum in I.Gismondi's large 1937 model of Rome (Museo della Civiltà Romana)
View of the area of the Imperial Fora prior to demolitions
Via dei Fori Imperiali between the Colosseum and the Altare della Patria (Vigli del Fuoco di Roma)
Imperial Rome
LA COLONNA TRAIANA
Uomini addetti al bestiame che, per necessità logistiche, doveva seguire l'esercito
Nei vari episodi, i Romani appaiono determinati, calmi, magnanimi, pietosi, mentre i "barbari" appaiono furiosi, confusi, ansiosi. C'è forse un eccesso di retorica, ma ci deve essere qualcosa di vero, se quei comandanti e quei soldati hanno conquistato il mondo. I pannelli scolpiti rappresentano però una miniera di particolari storicamente oggettivi. Per esempio, consentono di studiare i vari tipi di armature e di tattiche belliche dell'epoca. La Colonna costituisce una sorta di sorprendente libro di storia, che permette di ovviare alla scarsità di notizie fornite da fonti letterarie sulle guerre di Traiano in Dacia. Oggi, salendo con lo sguardo verso l'alto, è quasi impossibile la decifrazione degli episodi. Ma in origine non era così. In primo luogo, la colonna era dipinta e quindi i particolari risultavano di più. Inoltre, la colonna era situata tra due biblioteche, le cui aperture permettevano di guardare il fregio da distanza ravvicinata.
MERCATI DI TRAIANO - MUSEO DEI FORI IMPERIALI
La grande aula
LA TORRE DELLE MILIZIE
IL GIARDINO DELLE MILIZIE
THE PARADE TO CELEBRATE THE REPUBLIC
Vedere anche:
ROMA - I LUOGHI DEL POTERE
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2017/09/fontane-di-roma.html
I LUOGHI DEL POTERE: QUIRINALE, ecc
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2017/10/roma-i-luoghi-del-potere-quirinale.html
PALESTRINA - IL TEMPIO DELLA FORTUNA
http://cristigianni.blogspot.it/2016/11/palestrina-il-tempio-della-fortuna.html
ROMA - IL VITTORIANO
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2016/04/roma-il-vittoriano.html
L'ABBAZIADI MONTECASSINO
http://cristigianni.blogspot.it/2017/02/labbazia-di-montecassino.html
RAVENNA CAPITALE DELL'IMPERO E POI DELL'ESARCATO
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2016/09/ravenna-capitale-dellimpero-e-poi.html
ROMA - I LUOGHI DEL POTERE
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2017/09/fontane-di-roma.html
I LUOGHI DEL POTERE: QUIRINALE, ecc
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2017/10/roma-i-luoghi-del-potere-quirinale.html
PALESTRINA - IL TEMPIO DELLA FORTUNA
http://cristigianni.blogspot.it/2016/11/palestrina-il-tempio-della-fortuna.html
ROMA - IL VITTORIANO
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2016/04/roma-il-vittoriano.html
L'ABBAZIADI MONTECASSINO
http://cristigianni.blogspot.it/2017/02/labbazia-di-montecassino.html
RAVENNA CAPITALE DELL'IMPERO E POI DELL'ESARCATO
http://johncristiani.blogspot.it/2016/09/ravenna-capitale-dellimpero-e-poi.html
Roma in declino: un paesaggio di rovine
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