During our cruise excursion to Rome, we stopped to admire the Roman Forum, one of the most important archaeological sites in the city. We didn't walk through the ruins themselves, but viewed the site from a terrace alongside the archaeological area. From there, we could see ancient columns, ruined walls and the remains of enormous buildings, with the Colosseum visible just a short distance away.
At first glance, the Roman Forum looks like a vast collection of ruins scattered across an open area. But these remains once formed the centre of Roman public life. For centuries, this was where people came to discuss politics, conduct business, attend religious ceremonies and take part in the legal affairs of the city.
Even from outside the archaeological site, it was easy to appreciate the scale of the place and understand why the Roman Forum is such an important part of Rome's history.
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| The ruins of the Roman Forum in Rome, once the centre of political, religious and public life in ancient Rome. |
What Was the Roman Forum?
The Roman Forum, known in Latin as the Forum Romanum, was the heart of ancient Rome for more than a thousand years. Located between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, it developed from a low-lying valley into a major centre for the city's public life.
It wasn't a single building or a purpose-built attraction. Instead, the Forum grew over many centuries as Roman rulers and officials added temples, public squares, government buildings, monuments and basilicas.
Different parts of the Forum served different purposes. Temples were dedicated to Roman gods, public buildings were used for political and legal activities, and open spaces provided room for gatherings and commercial transactions.
As Rome expanded, the Forum became increasingly important. It was a place where religion, politics and everyday life came together, making it one of the most significant areas of the ancient city.
What Can You See at the Roman Forum?
One of the interesting things about viewing the Roman Forum from the terrace is the number of different structures you can see across the archaeological area. There are surviving columns, fragments of walls, temple remains and larger buildings that still give an impression of the scale of ancient Roman architecture.
Several important monuments stand within the Forum, although identifying individual structures can be difficult if you are looking from outside the site without an information board or guide.
The Arch of Septimius Severus
The Arch of Septimius Severus stands at the western end of the Forum. Built in AD 203, it commemorates the military victories of Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons against the Parthian Empire.
Its large stone arch and carved decoration made it an important monument in ancient Rome. It remains one of the best-known surviving structures in the Forum.
The Temple of Saturn
The Temple of Saturn is recognisable by its surviving row of tall columns. The temple was dedicated to Saturn, an ancient Roman god associated with agriculture and wealth.
It also stood beside an important public treasury. Although only part of the original structure survives, the columns remain a distinctive feature of the archaeological landscape.
The Basilica of Maxentius
One of the largest buildings associated with the wider Forum area is the Basilica of Maxentius, also known as the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. Construction began under Emperor Maxentius in the early fourth century AD and was completed under Constantine.
Unlike a modern church, a Roman basilica was a large public building used for activities such as legal proceedings and administration. The surviving sections of this enormous structure demonstrate the scale and engineering ability of Roman builders.
Julius Caesar's Statue and a Baroque Church
Near the Roman Forum, along Via dei Fori Imperiali, you can also see a statue of Julius Caesar. Behind it stands the domed Chiesa dei Santi Luca e Martina, a Baroque church located beside the Curia Julia, the ancient Roman Senate house.
The statue and the church offer an interesting contrast to the surrounding ruins. While the Forum preserves the remains of ancient Rome, the church represents a much later chapter in the city's history. The nearby Imperial Fora also formed part of the wider monumental area developed by Rome's emperors.
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| The statue of Julius Caesar near the Roman Forum, with the dome of Chiesa dei Santi Luca e Martina rising behind it. |
Why Was the Roman Forum So Important?
For centuries, the Roman Forum was the main setting for many of the activities that shaped the city. Political speeches and public meetings took place here, religious ceremonies were held at its temples, and important legal matters were dealt with in its public buildings.
The Forum also reflected the changing fortunes of Rome. As the Republic developed into an empire, emperors added new monuments to celebrate military victories, honour important figures and demonstrate their authority.
Eventually, the original Forum became too small to meet the needs of the growing capital. Julius Caesar began developing a separate monumental square, and later emperors followed with their own additions. These became known as the Imperial Fora and form part of the wider archaeological landscape near the Roman Forum.
That history explains why the area contains so many different types of ruins. It was not built at one time, but developed and changed as Rome itself changed.
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| Ancient columns and stone remains in the Roman Forum, including the ruins associated with the Temple of Peace. |
What Happened to the Roman Forum?
As the Roman Empire changed, many of its buildings gradually lost their original functions. Some were adapted for other uses, while others fell into disrepair or were dismantled for building materials.
Over the centuries, parts of the area became buried beneath accumulated earth and debris. The landscape eventually changed so much that much of the former public centre was no longer recognisable as the heart of ancient Rome.
Some structures survived because they were converted into churches or incorporated into later buildings. Others remained as fragments, waiting to be studied by archaeologists.
Systematic excavations began much later, gradually uncovering the remains and revealing more about how the Forum had developed. The archaeological site visitors see today is the result of those excavations and many years of conservation work.
The Roman Forum and the Colosseum
The Roman Forum and the Colosseum are often visited together, but they served very different purposes.
The Colosseum was an amphitheatre built for public spectacles, including gladiatorial contests and animal hunts. The Forum, by contrast, was the centre of political, religious, commercial and judicial life.
Our viewpoint gave us a useful perspective on how close these two famous landmarks are to each other. In the photo below, the Colosseum can be seen in the background beyond the archaeological area.
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| The ruins of the Roman Forum with the Colosseum in the background, a striking view of ancient Rome. |
Seeing the Roman Forum on a Cruise Excursion
Our visit to Rome was part of a cruise excursion, so we had a limited amount of time to see the city's major sights. We viewed the Roman Forum from a terrace alongside the archaeological area rather than entering and walking among the ruins.
This type of stop offers a different experience from a full archaeological visit. You can appreciate the size of the site, see the remains spread across the valley and take photographs without spending hours exploring the individual monuments.
However, there are limits to what you can discover from outside. You won't be able to walk along the ancient routes, examine the structures up close or explore the details that make the site particularly interesting to history enthusiasts.
If you have only a short time in Rome, a viewpoint can still introduce you to the Forum and help you understand its place in the ancient city. If you have a full day or a strong interest in Roman history, entering the archaeological site is a different experience and deserves time of its own.
Is the Roman Forum Worth Seeing?
Yes, particularly if you are already visiting the Colosseum or exploring the historic centre of Rome. Even without entering the archaeological site, seeing the Roman Forum gives you a better understanding of the ancient city and the role it played in Roman public life.
If you have more time, exploring the Forum on foot would allow you to get closer to the monuments and appreciate the site in greater detail. For a shorter visit, seeing it from a nearby terrace is still a worthwhile way to discover another side of ancient Rome.