The Pompeii Forum Project Michael Trachy

Overview of the Pompeii Forum Project

Why study the Pompeian Forum?

Forum Location

Buildings of the Pompeii Forum

Early Theories about the Pompeii Forum

Archaic Primordial town- “the Altstadt”

The Tufa PeriodMau (1903), Maiuri (1942), Zanker (1976), Kockel (2008), Pesando (2006), Coarelli (2006)

Primordial Phase

Samnite Phase

Sullan PhasePolitical upheaval following Social War (90-88BC)Pompeii becomes logical choice for Sulla’s new administrative centerTransformation into a more distinctly Roman town

Temple of Jupiter

Transition Period

The Basilica Comitium

Porticus of Popidius

Porticus of PopidiusPossible reconstruction in front of The Eumachia Building and The Sanctuary of Augustus

Porticus of Popidius’ Reconstruction

Smaller stones, less neatly placed than in the original construction

Large blocks cleanly cut

Augustan Phase

Sanctuary of ApolloPaul Arthur (1980) – 6th century Greek Terracotta

Large ditch east of building with votive deposits from the second century BC marks original foundation and signals reduction of boundaries for the Porticus

Dobbins (1997)- examination of the intersection of the northwestern corner of sanctuary with the existing street

Inscription from approx. 10 BC found in the Sanctuary

Council granted this structure to authority to construct a wall that block the light from going into adjacent houses

Sanctuary of Apollo

Streets altered from gradual, systematic development of the

Forum

The Eumachia Building

Sanctuary of Augustus

Porticus in front of the Sanctuary of Augustus?

Post Earthquake Reconstruction Phase

Imperial Cult Building

AutoCAD Reconstruction