The Forum was not, as many have supposed, a building, but an open
space surrounded with buildings, the whole forming the Forum. It was
260 yards long, and 55 yards wide at the bottom. The top, under the
Capitol, was 140 yards wide. The temples were built on lofty platforms
(_podia_), to give them a more commanding appearance.
[Illustration: THE ROMAN FORUM, LOOKING TOWARDS THE CAPITOLINE HILL.
1. The Temple of Castor and Pollux.
2. The Basilica Julia.
3. Shrine of Venus.
4. Temple of Saturn.
5. Tabularium.
6. Arch of Severus.
7. Mamertine Prison.
8. Column of Phocas.
9. Temple of Vespasian.
10. Temple-tomb of Cæsar.
11. Senate House.
12. Shop.
13. Via Sacra.
14. Bases.
15. Pedestal of Domitian's Statue.
16. Puteal.
17. Marsyas.
18. Attus Navius.
19. Old Rostra.
20. Reliefs of M. Aurelius.
21. Site of Statue.
22. Portico of the 12 Gods.
23. Clivus Capitolinus.
24. Tarpeian Rock.
25. Tower of Capitol.
26. Vicus Tuscus.
27. Street of Ox Heads.
28. Curtian Lake.]