What is a forum in ancient Rome and what does it have in common with modern forums

Many words that came to us from ancient times are still used today, but in a slightly different meaning. It can be very interesting to see how their meaning has changed over time.

Consider, for example, the origin and meaning of one interesting word. So, we answer the questions: "What is a forum in Ancient Rome? What did this name mean earlier and what is the point today? ". First, let's turn to a very interesting science that deals with the origin of certain words.

Where did the word "forum" come from?

Any name in this world has its source. A special section in linguistics, which appeared in the 17th century, etymology, studies the occurrence of words and the historical changes that occur with them over time. Therefore, if you need to find out what the word "forum" in ancient Rome means and what is the meaning of the name now, you first need to find out how it came about.

It is interesting that the ancient Romans themselves did not know the exact origin of the word. They believed that it goes back to the verb ferre ("to carry") and its meaning is to bring goods and disputes to a certain place. Also the word "forum" is associated with the related word forus, which means "closed place". Scientists suggest that for the ancient Romans this name meant a fenced square that was outside the city walls, like the markets that existed alongside medieval Italian cities.

Gradually, with the appearance of public assemblies and the Senate, the meaning of the word has changed. It began to designate the venue for the discussions.

The meaning of the word "forum" in ancient Rome and the history of its appearance

Like every nation, in one of the oldest capitals on Earth, in Rome, there was a special area that was used as a market. It was also considered the center of public and business life of the city.

To understand better what a forum in Ancient Rome, you need to know the history of its appearance. This question has been thoroughly studied.

The future main square of Rome was located in a valley between six hills and originally represented a boggy unsightly terrain. The first settlements appeared on the hills, and the valley was used as a necropolis. This continued until the foundation of Rome in 754 BC. E.

During the reign of Tarquinius the Ancient, the fifth king of Rome, work was done to drain the valley (built a sewer system, which was called the Great Cloaca), and then this area was taken under the Roman forum. The inhabitants of the hills began to use the drained valley as a place for meetings and business negotiations.

Then the first roads appeared, leading to the square. Gradually it was filled with temples (the oldest of them is the sanctuary of Venus Cloakins), basilicas, monuments, porticos, arches and columns.

When Rome became a republic, in the square, important government institutions were built - the Court and the heart of the ancient city - the Senate.

The forum, having become a center of political, judicial and religious events, continued to fulfill the role of the market.

So, what is a forum in ancient Rome? This is an area in the center of the city, which initially played the role of a market. A little later, there were comitia (the site where people's congregations were held) and the curia (the building where the Senate was sitting).

Time of heyday and decline

In the era of the reign of Emperor Augustus, the central square of Rome reached enormous proportions. During this period, it was of great importance for the political and public life of the ancient city.

After the disappearance of the great empire, the forum gradually came to desolation. The last construction here took place in the IV century AD. E. The Romans used the square as a huge quarry to receive building material. In the Middle Ages, the forum territory became a pasture altogether.

Only in the XIX century, archaeologists began to excavate at the site of the ancient area.

What is the Roman Forum now?

Today this territory is a gigantic museum. This museum is located in front of the Colosseum, another famous monument. Therefore, when visiting the great Roman amphitheater, tourists can also see the ruins of the ancient forum.

Conclusion

Considering what a forum in Ancient Rome, it would be interesting to know if it has something in common with modern forums. Nowadays this word is called any mass meeting (for example, congress), and also a place on the Internet where people communicate on certain topics. If we take as a basis the later meaning of this term - a place for discussing important issues (for example, the Senate did this), then modern forums do look a bit like their ancient ancestor in terms of the functions associated with thematic communication.

So, what is the forum in ancient Rome? This place, which had an important socio-political and economic significance in the era of the Great Roman Empire. Here were important trade deals, court decisions were made, the Senate sat and solemn religious events were held. We can say that the main square of Rome was the heart of the city and the empire.