Trajan Forum and Market
Augusta Foose and Nero Brotman
What is the Trajan Forum and why was it built?
What did the layout look like?
There were so many variations of rooms, offices and shops that part of what made the forum so special it started with the Basilica was basically a court room where large formal meets could be held. The had a ware house that was parallel to many offices on the higher levels of the building, 2 different libraries 1 of them a Greek and the other a Latin, and finally on the lower levels held the market place where citizens would come to shop from a variety of shops. The upper levels of this semi-circular brick and concrete market which at one section had up to six stories were used for offices from where the whole market place was managed. Adjacent to these offices was a large warehouse. The lower levels, however, that was the center of activity. There, merchants sold a variety of goods to the average Roman citizen, including wine, oil, fruits, vegetables, and other grocery items. These shops were called "tabernae" and were barrel-vaulted cubicles with small windows and a large opening to the street. In total there were more than 150 tabernae in the complex. . Finally in the lower part of the market was the so-called Great Hall, 32 meters long and 8 meters high. The hall was possibly used for concerts, speeches or education.
Why is this structure unique? Why is it importnant to preserve it?
This building is historic because it was the beginning of new things for Rome. They cleared out several buildings and offices to make room for this grand building. Not only did they create one of the first 6 story buildings in Rome but also one of the first and largest gathering places. Shortly after it opened it became one of the most popular places to shop, work and hang out. Much of the market is still standing today. This is one of the only high rise buildings in ancient Rome that was able to be preserved. Unfortunately many of the high traffic areas like the Basilica (court room) and market place are not in good standing today. So in order for us to preserve what is left we need to be able to study, and work in this area carefully because its important history that should not be messed with.
Should we still use buildings like this today?
Bibliography's
"Ara Pacis Augustae - The Altar of Peace." Ara Pacis Augustae - The Altar of Peace. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2015.
Davies, S. Plan of Trajan's Forum. Digital image. UTexas. University of Texas, 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 7 May 2015.
Forum of Trajan. Digital image. Planet Ware. Planet Ware, n.d. Web. 7 May 2015.
"Trajan's Forum." , Rome. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2015.
Forum of Trajan. Digital image. Shafe. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 May 2015.
Augusta's:
Cartwright, Mark. Trajan Market. Digital image. Mark Cartwright, 8 Oct. 2013. Web. 7 May 2015.
"Trajan's Forum." , Rome. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2015.
Trojan Forum. Digital image. Trekearth. Agi77, 16 Feb. 2008. Web. 7 May 2016.
Trojan Forum. Digital image. Trekearth. Agi77, 16 Feb. 2008. Web. 7 May 2016.