Question

Forum of Trajan in Rome, Italy was built by emperors and is the largest last of Roman forums. It was constructed by Apollodorus of Damascus in 100 C.E using brick and concrete. The forum includes a basilica with 2 apses and 2 side aisles. What was the function of this forum?

1) Courthouse where judges would be seated in the apse, while defendants and prosecutors would be in the nave
2) Audience hall for public gatherings and events
3) A room for the emperor's throne
4) A forum for political debates and discussions

Answer 1

The Forum of Trajan was a multifaceted public space in ancient Rome where the Basilica Ulpia, with its apses, primarily served as a courthouse for judicial proceedings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Forum of Trajan in Rome, described as "a construction unique under the heavens", was a multifunctional public space used for various civic activities.

While the forum included various buildings and spaces such as libraries, a basilica, and the Column of Trajan, one of the main functions of the basilica within the forum was to serve as a courthouse.

The basilica, known as Basilica Ulpia, had apses where judges sat. Thus, these structures provided a space for judicial proceedings, where magistrates represented the authority of the emperor and issued judgments.

As such, the primary function of the Forum of Trajan was to serve as a central public area for civic, juridical, and ceremonial activities in Roman life.