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Early Roman Forums. Founding of the Forum. Made possible by wetland draining in 7th century BC Romulus and Titus formed an alliance, the valley between the two became a center of trade and commerce Grew to accommodate political speeches, temples, and government buildings. Umbilicus Urbis .
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Founding of the Forum • Made possible by wetland draining in 7th century BC • Romulus and Titus formed an alliance, the valley between the two became a center of trade and commerce • Grew to accommodate political speeches, temples, and government buildings
Umbilicus Urbis • Cone shaped monument in the middle of the forum constructed in 2nd century BC • The gateway to the underworld(“Mundus”) was believed to be under the umbilicus • Gateway opened three times every year on “dies nefasti”
Lapis Niger • Shrine dedicated to the worship of Vulcan • Origins unclear, could be the resting place of Romulus, where Romulus died, or where Faustulus died • Possibly the oldest Latin inscription ever found in the temple
Bibliography • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbilicus_urbis_Romae • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_Niger • http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/Forum_Romanum/_Texts/Huelsen*/2/8.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Forum