1:300 Scale Model of the Roman Forum in 63 BCE

By: Ezekiel Hernández ’25

Figure 1: 3D Version of the project

Figure 2: 2D Version of the project

“Illud vero nonne ita praesens est, ut nutu Iovis optimi maximi factum esse videatur, ut, cum hodierno die mane per forum meo iussu et coniurati et eorum indices in aedem Concordiae ducerentur, eo ipso tempore signum statueretur? Quo collocato atque ad vos senatumque converso omnia [et senatus et vos], quae erant contra salutem omnium cogitata, illustrata et patefacta vidistis.” – Cicero (Cic. Catil. 3.21)

“And is not this fact so present that it appears to have taken place by the express will of the good and mighty Jupiter, that, when this day, early in the morning, both the conspirators and their accusers were being led by my command through the Forum to the Temple of Concord, at that very time the statue was being erected? And when it was set up and turned towards you and towards the senate and you yourselves saw everything which had been planned against the universal safety brought to light and made manifest.” – Cicero (Cic. Catil. 3.21) (Trans. Yonge)

Introduction

This project aims to bring to life what Cicero would have seen immediately in the Roman Forum in 63 BCE. Essentially, this project focuses on only the buildings Cicero or his audience would have seen directly in that moment. Plans like this are usually always seen on paper. However, with parts of the projects shown in 3D, the goal is to make it more immersive and educational to the viewer.

This plan is a 1:300 scale model of the Roman Forum. All building plans that I am certain of are elevated ~ 4 mm off of the foundation of the board. These surfaces have walls and columns that are artificially elevated by approximately 1 cm. Building plans that I am not certain of are outlined.

More information about each plan can be found through the sources at the bottom of the page.