The Roman Forum in Latin: Forum Romanum, although the Romans usually called it Forum Magnum or Forum was the main public market in Rome, as such, the center of Roman civilization. Situated between the Capitol Hill and the Palatinate, the Forum hosts a large number of public monuments and public buildings, being the center of political, commercial, religious, festive, legal affairs, etc. It was also the node of the road network built by the Romans, being crossed by Via Sacra and a point of origin for Via Appia. It was the backdrop of many historical events. Caesar, August, and Trajan built adjacent markets, known as the Imperial Forums.
After the fall of the Roman Empire and Rome, the monumental market has become a source of building materials. A number of edifices, including the Curia Senate headquarters, have been converted into Christian churches, preserving it to date. Throughout the ages, the soil level has increased greatly, so archaeological excavations have begun at the end of the eighteenth century in order to unravel the ancient vestiges. After more than two centuries, the forum continues to be one of the most important archaeological sites of the capital of Italy. The Roman Forum is an open-air museum along with Palatin Hill.
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