The origins of the ancient Roman Forum date back to the beginning of the Roman Republic period around 500 B.C.
The main marketplace and business center, it was what we could call the "downtown" of its time. Here public speaking took place and all topics were discussed and argued as well. The land site of the Roman Forum was also used for festivities any many buildings and temples were slowly added in and around the antique Forum dedicated to the gods of the antique Latin population.
Some of its main features included the Temple of the Castors, dedicated by Postumius to the Dioscuri, demigods who, according to legend, appeared on the Roman Forum to announce the victory of the Romans over the Tarquins in 494 B.C.The Arch of Titus was dedicated to Titus for his victory over Judea by the Senate, in 79 A.D. Inside the arch are engravings depicting the conquest of Jerusalem. Arch of Septimius Severus, was erected in 203 A.D. to honor Septimius Severus for his victories. The arch has an inscription on top to Septimius Severus and his son, Caracalla, but upon closer inspection one can see that part of the inscription hides another inscription to Geta, another son of Septimius who was said to be murdered by Caracalla who later tried to eliminate his memory in the inscription. The Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Vesta were also another two important temples that made up the Roman Forum and remains of the Comitum which include the Curia, meeting place of the Senate, and the Rostra, public speaking platform, can also be seen when visiting the site.
In 54 B.C. the first temple of the new Imperial Forum was built by Julius Caesar because by this time the Roman Forum had become too small to remain the center of activity in Rome.