Forum Iulium

Construction of the Forum Iulium began in 54 B.C., and it was dedicated in 46 B.C. upon its completion. As part of the dedication, lavish games were also offered and funded by Caesar, indicating the staggering amount that he personally invested in the project. The Forum Iulium measured 160 meters by 75 meters, reaching from the Argiletum on the southeast side of the Forum Romanum to the Atrium Libertatis.  The Forum of Caesar was originally meant to be an expansion of the Forum Romanum. The Forum, however, evolved so that it served two additional purposes. As Caesar became more and more involved in this project, the Forum became a place for public business that was related to the Senate in addition to a shrine for himself as well as Venus Genetrix. The large temple was originally planned to be dedicated to Venus Victrix but, following his victory at Pharsalus, Caesar decided to honor Venus Genetrix, the goddess of motherhood and domesticity, instead. He believed this deity to be the origin of the gens Iulia to which he belonged. The forum was heavily damaged in the widespread fires of A.D. 80 and did not see reconstruction until ca. A.D. 95-100 under the reigns of Domitian and Trajan, respectively.