PompeiiThe Forum

Map of the Forum of PompeiiA - Municipal OfficesB - BasilicaC - Temple of ApolloD - HorreaE - Arch of GermanicusF - Temple of JupiterG - MacellumH - Temple of the Lares PubliciI - Temple of VespasianJ - Building of EumachiaK - Comitium

The Forum of PompeiiThe forum was the central meeting place for the general public (publica) of Pompeii. It acted as a town centre therefore it held the major buildings of the city. This included social, political and cultural areas.

NB: The forum in Herculaneum has not been uncovered yet.

Municipal Offices

C - Office of the Duumvirs

B - The council chamber

A - Office of the Aediles

BasilicaThe Basilica played an important role in both civil and commercial life of Pompeii. Not only was justice administered here, but it was also the focus of the commercial life of the city.

Temple of ApolloApollo, god of light, was of Greek origins believed to have been introduced into Pompeii in the 6th Century BCE. The Roman Emperor Augustus adopted Apollo as his patron and associated the god with his “Golden Age.”

The temple of Apollo was very important and elaborate, being situated on the western end of the forum in Pompeii.

Statue of Apollo

The main temple in the north of the open space was the Temple of Jupiter, now considered to be the temple of the Capitoline three (Jupiter, Juno and Minerva).

Temple of the Capitoline Triad

Bust of Jupiter

The Macellum, or food market, stands in the north-east corner of the Forum.

The Macellum had three entrances, (B), (I) and (J) as indicated on the accompanying plan.

Macellum (Market Place)

Entrance (B)

Rotunda (H)

Market Room (D)

Sacrificial Banquets (F)

The building has been designated as the sanctuary for the public lares but it may have been dedicated to the deified Augustus.

Probably built after the earthquake of AD62 for the people of Pompeii.

Lares were guardian deities in ancient Roman religion. Lares were believed to observe, protect and influence all that happened within the boundaries of their location or function.

Temple of the Lares Publici

Building of Eumachia Entrance (D)

Courtyard Goods entrance (I)

Two small rooms flank the entrance (D), in one of which was found a large container for urine utilized in the fullonicas for the degreasing of cloth. This most likely means that the Eumachia was a clothing market for cleaning and making clothes and materials.

In this large hall electors, who were divided into curiae (tribe) voted for the lists of candidates before the duumvir (joint magistrates), who was in turn nominated by the elected assembly. The Comitium is more of an unroofed open space.

Comitum