Field Study - The Roman Forum

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Today for class we had a field study of the Roman Forum. We only covered the center area of the Forum. We learned about the Temples that worshiped the many Gods that the Ancient Romans believed in. Also we learned about how the emperor, after a war was won, would ride into the Forum along the sacred road (via sacra) and then get off his chariot, sacrifice an animal to the God Jupiter (which was the Roman equivalent of Zeus) and smear blood on his armor and climb up the Capitoline hill and ascend the stairs on his knees up the Temple of Jupiter to thank him for their victory. There was ruins of Basilicas and the Rostra that the emperors gave their speeches on. Also interesting was the Temple of Vesta, which had a fire in it that was always lit that represented the fate of Rome. To make sure the fire would never die, young virgins had to tend to it for over 20 years of their life and they lived right next to the Temple in the House of the Vestal Virgins. We are going to go back to learn some more about the Roman Forum next Thursday so I'll update the information.

Also, during my break between classes, I read my assignments in Saint Peter's Basilica, which is only five minutes from my classes. That was really nice to do work there.

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Photos

The Rostra
The speaker's platform

Comments

[Laura Sahyoun]

Penn State Commons....
... imagine you are doing your assignments in Saint Peter's Basilica......field trips to the Roman Forum.....I am so excited for you, love you honey,have a great time. Ciao Bella