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I. FORUM ROMANUM, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE PALATINE IN 1878.

PLATE XXII.

II. A VIEW OF ONE OF THE ROSTRA IN THE FORUM, Of the time of Constantine, from a sculpture on his arch.

It represents the principal rostrum near the Temple of Saturn. The two seated figures, one at each end, holding a staff, are statues of gods-in the centre stand the orators, protected by a low screen of pierced marble (called transenna), addressing the citizens from a raised platform; the crowd at each end are the citizens-the building in the background is the Tabularium. (See p. 127.)

III. SCULPTURE FROM ONE OF THE MARBLE WALLS.

THE principal figure is the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (much mutilated); he is addressing the citizens, when they interrupt him by crying out octo! octo! demanding eight gold pieces, which he gave them (as related by Dion Cassius, lib. lxxi. c. 32). The figure of the Emperor is seen standing on the rostrum, with coins dropping from his right hand (which, with the head, are unfortunately destroyed); the two foremost figures of the citizens are each holding out a hand, one with five fingers extended, the other with three, and the money is seen falling into them.

This engraving is from a photograph, taken at the time of the excavation of these marble walis in 1872. (Sec p. 128.)

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II. VIEW OF A ROSTRUM IN THE FORUM, From the Arch of CONSTANTINE.

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III. THE EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS ADDRESSING THE CITIZENS.

PLATE XXIII.

FORUM OF TRAJAN.

THE three tiers of shops at the east end of this Forum, against the cliff of the Quirinal Hill.

1. On the level of the ground, with part of the old pavement of the Forum remaining in front of them; there are several of these shops more or less perfect.

2. On the first floor, or half-way up the cliff, where a sort of bazaar was formed. The Rows, or shops, on the first floor of the houses at Chester, were probably an imitation of these, as Chester was a Roman city. In the Forum of Trajan the passage was at the back of the shops, which extended to the edge of the cliff. The flight of stone steps from the level to this gallery still remains; though in a bad state of repair, it can still be used.

3. On the top of the cliff, and on the summit of the hill. These have been converted into stables for the cavalry barracks, made in what had been in the Middle Ages a nunnery, and this continued till the time of Pius IX. The steps or staircase from the gallery on the first floor to the upper part have been destroyed, but there are distinct marks of them in the walls. The whole of these are clearly shewn in the drawing from which this plate is engraved.

A. Plan of the lower storey.

B. Passage behind the Shops, on the first floor.

C. Upper storey.

a. Pavement of the Forum.

D. Part of the Quirinal Hill.

bbb. Stairs from one storey to the other.

x. Level of the ground at the summit of the cliff.

y. Modern buildings.

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THE THREE TIERS OF SHOPS AT THE EAST END.

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