In B.C. 180, "Marcus Fulvius made contracts for a court of justice
behind the new bankers' shops" (Livy, xl. 51). It was destroyed by
fire, and rebuilt by Paullus Æmilius, B.C. 53.
Plutarch says that Paullus expended on it the large sum of money he
had received from Cæsar as a bribe.
Pliny (xxxvi. 24) tells us it was celebrated for its columns of
Phrygian marble.
_For explanation of the word Basilica, see page 82._
_Between this and the Church of S. Adriano stood_