The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum, is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the centre of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.
Location: Central Rome
Part of: Ancient Rome
Area: 2 ha (4.9 acres)
Region: Lazio
Altitude: 13 m (43 ft)
Founded: 8th century BC – AD 608
Abandoned: Largely neglected from the 8th century AD onward