Forum of Augustus
Built to address the overflow of civic business from Rome’s earlier forums, this imperial square showcased Mars Ultor—the god of vengeance—and celebrated the golden age of Augustus through architecture and propaganda.
At a glance
The Forum of Augustus was a porticoed rectangular plaza laid out perpendicular to Caesar’s Forum. Its centrepiece, the Temple of Mars Ultor, was inaugurated in 2 BC. High perimeter walls enclosed the space, with semicircular exedras (covered recesses) behind the colonnades. A colossal statue of the emperor stood in a dedicated chamber at the north portico’s head.
History
Augustus commissioned this forum to ease the strain on the Roman Forum and Forum of Caesar, both struggling with the weight of legal proceedings and public gatherings. According to Suetonius, the emperor hurried the inauguration despite the temple’s incomplete state, eager to establish a venue for trials and judicial selection by lot.
Financial constraints shaped its final form. Suetonius notes that Augustus built it smaller than intended, unwilling to expropriate nearby property owners—a rare concession to private rights in the service of public works.
What you see
The forum’s orthogonal design mirrors its precedent, with a colonnade surrounding the central square. The Temple of Mars Ultor dominated the short southern side, its position reinforced by the monumental enclosure wall rising behind it. The side arcades sheltered large semicircular exedras, offering sheltered spaces for gatherings and conversation. Every sculptural and decorative element proclaimed Augustus’s vision of a new era.
Cultural significance
More than a civic necessity, the Forum of Augustus was an instrument of imperial messaging. Its decoration and dedication to Mars Ultor—god of righteous vengeance—legitimised Augustus’s authority and victory. The complex represented the ideological and administrative consolidation of the Augustan age, transforming administrative need into monumental propaganda.
Key facts
- Address: Piazza del Grillo, 1, 00184 Roma
- Coordinates: 41.894279, 12.486799
- Temple inauguration: 2 BC
- Official website: http://060608.it
- Phone: 060608
Practical information
Opening hours and admission fees are available through the official website or by calling the listed number.
Getting there
The forum is located at Piazza del Grillo in the Monti district, near the Roman Forum and other central monuments. Public transport connections and detailed directions are available on the official website.
Sources & resources
- Suetonius, Life of Augustus, 29 and 56
- 060608.it – Official cultural heritage site
- Cultural Heritage Online
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