Page 28 - Clipper Cruise Book

The Arch of Septimus and Severus, Arch of Titus, and Arch of
Constantine, together with the columns of the Temple of Saturn,
Temple of Vespasian and Titus, and Temple of Castor and Pollux

are easily recognized landmarks in the Roman Forum.

The remaining part of
the Basilica of
Maxentius and
Constantine, also called
the Basilica Nova, is the
biggest single structure
still standing in the
Roman Forum.

It was one of the many
projects started by
Maxentius that were
completed by
Constantine after
Constantine stomped
co-Emperor Maxentius
at the Battle of the
Milvian bridge in 312
AD. It was the last non-
Christian building built in the Roman Forum -- all that followed
were churches, and most of those were built into the remains of
roman civic structures or temples.

Like earlier basilicas, this one was built to provide space for
political and commercial business. It is likely that it also was
used as a court for civil law cases.

Under Constantine and his successors this type of building was
chosen as the basis for the design of the larger places of
Christian worship.

28