Forum civilium

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Forum civilium, or civil forum, was a judicial center in ancient Rome. These forums were extensions of the Roman Forum to provide space for courts and public business, keeping them separate from crowded markets. The three main civic forums were the Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus, and the Roman Forum. They were used for public affairs and important legal and ceremonial activities, not for selling goods.

Julius Caesar built the first Imperial Forum between 56 and 54 BC to ease congestion in the old Forum. The Forum of Augustus was built to celebrate Augustus’s victory over Brutus and Cassius. It housed a temple to Mars Ultor (the Avenger) and statues; the attic of the porticoes carried a decoration of female figures (caryatids) and clipeus (round shields). The Forum of Augustus was remarkable for its architecture at the time.

As the fora civilia were established, commercial activity moved from the Forum to the Forum Venalium along the Tiber.