There has been much discussion as to the form and extent of the Roman
forum, and as to the use of some of the structures whose ruins are found
within its area. Sometimes the word _forum_ was applied to
market-places—_forum boarium_, _fora venalia_, as well as to places
where justice was administered, _fora civilia_. The great Roman Forum at
the foot of the Capitol, and contiguous to the Palatine hill, was, no
doubt, intended by Romulus for the assemblies of the people. It was
adorned with an immense number of Grecian statues, among which were
twelve gilt statues of the principal gods. Numerous relics of its former
grandeur now fill the _campo vaccino_—broken porticos, ruined arches,
single columns, and the remains of temples. To each of these belongs a
story of curious antiquarian research. Without wishing to follow the
beaten path of all travelers, it is impossible to pass these
world-renowned memorials of a by-gone age without some brief notice. One
of these is