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Basilica Julia
This law court burned FOUR times and Rome rebuilt it bigger every time. Julius Caesar built it in 46 BC using Gallic War treasure, but nine years later, fire destroyed it. Augustus rebuilt it larger, dedicating it to his grandsons in 12 AD. The rainbow-colored marble floor was so valuable that medieval workers dug it up and SOLD it—Rome ransacked its own fortune! Those concrete ruins? That's all that remains of Rome's greatest public building, standing right here in the Forum.
Did You Know?
- The Basilica Julia was built on the site of the earlier Basilica Sempronia, which was constructed around 170 BCE. It was initially founded by Julius Caesar in 54 BCE, but he didn't live to see its completion, as it was finished by Augustus in 12 BCE. The basilica was a significant civic building, housing civil law courts, shops, and government offices.
- One of the most fascinating aspects of the Basilica Julia is its role as a meeting place for the Centumviri, a special court that dealt with inheritance cases. The structure was also adorned with fine marble and Italian Carrara marble columns, showcasing the wealth and architectural prowess of ancient Rome.
- The Basilica Julia has a unique feature that reveals the daily life of ancient Romans: the presence of 'gaming boards' (tabulae lusoriae) etched into the pavement. These boards were likely created by people who spent time idling in the Forum, offering a glimpse into the leisure activities of the time.