Curia Hostilia
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Coordinates: 41°53′35″N 12°29′07″E / 41.89306°N 12.48528°E
 Curia Hostilia |
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 Curia Hostilia in read with the Republican Comitium diagram |
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| Location | Regione VIII Forum Romanum |
| Built in | 7th century BC |
| Built by/for | Tullus Hostilius |
| Type of structure | Republican Curia |
| Related articles | {{{wiki articles}}} |
  Curia Hostilia |
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| These articles cover the Ancient Roman Comitium of the Republican era | |
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| Structures- | Rostra, Curia Hostilia, Curia Julia, Lapis Niger, Temple of Felicitas |
| Politicians- | Cicero, Gaius Gracchus, Julius Caesar |
| Assemblies- | Roman Senate, comitia curiata |
The Curia Hostilia, was the original Senate House of the Roman Republic. It is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Hostus Hostilius, and rebuilt by Tullus Hostilius. The spot has held earlier buildings hosting a similar function as far back as the Roman Monarchy. It appears to have been historically significant as well. The Lapis Niger is found opposite the Rostra with the remains of the Vulcanal covered ceremoniously with black marble.
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[edit] History
There has been a meeting house for the people of Rome through most of Romes history. There may have been a small shrine to the god Vulcan from an even earlier period. A stone altar with a marble stele inscribed with a dedication from a Latin King. An Honorary column was also among the tightly pack items. This spot was separated from the rest of the comitium with a low rising concrete fencing to keep pedestrians from walking atop it.
The Curia Hostilia was built as a three chambered structure with a raised and level forecourt known as the Comitium where all of Rome's early political life centered. It is said that the public was always allowed to stroll into the Curia Hostilia to listen to the senators debate.
Relatively little is known about the Curia Hostilia. One feature of the Curia that is mentioned in almost all sources is the "Tabula Valeria," a painting on the exterior of the Curia’s western wall. It depicted the victory of Manius Valerius Maximus Corvinus Messalla over Hiero and the Carthaginians in 263 BC. Pliny says that the painting was the first such picture in Rome.[1]
Another detail that most sources agree on is that the Curia Hostilia was located on the north side of the Comitium.[2] It is believed that the circular set of stairs of the Comitium, which also doubled as seating for citizens listening to speakers at the Rostra, led up to the Curia's entrance. With regard to the Curia’s location, Stambaugh writes, “[T]he Curia Hostilia was built on rising ground so as to dominate the whole space of the Forum Romanum”.[3] Given its prominent place in the Forum, it seems that the Curia Hostilia was a symbol of the strength of the Roman Republic.
The building was demolished in 80 BC under Lucius Cornelius Sulla to enlarge the curia and accommodate an increase in the number of senators. It was replaced with the Curia Cornelia, located in almost the same space. This structure was in turn replaced by the Curia Julia started by Julius Caesar and finished by Augustus Caesar.
[edit] See also
[edit] Works Cited
- Aicher, Peter J. Rome Alive: A Source-Guide to the Ancient City. Wauconda, Illinois: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2004.
- Claridge, Amanda. Rome. An Oxford Archaeological Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
- Platner, Samuel Ball and Thomas Ashby (ed.). A Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome. London: Oxford University Press, 1929.
- Stambaugh, John E. The Ancient Roman City. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1988.
- Richardson, Lawrence. A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1992.
- University of California. Digital Roman Forum. Retrieved 10 March 2007. University of California, Los Angeles, 2005.
- http://dlib.etc.ucla.edu/projects/Forum
