Pompeii - Forum

Question 1

What was the forum and what did it contain?

Answer 1

The forum was a centre for local government, religion and business. 
It contained:
-Temples of Jupiter, Apollo, Lares, Vespasian
-Macellum
-Comitum
-Basilica
-Mensa ponderaria
-Building of Eumachia
-3 officers for the aediles and duovirs
-Graffiti
-granaries (horrea)
-statues of leading Pompeians
-porticoes (a porch leading to the entrance of a building)
-stalls set up traders

Question 2

What was the Comitum?

Answer 2

Comitum - a polling station where the town’s elections were held

Question 3

What was the Basilica?

Answer 3

Basilica - a law court and a place for business men to meet

Question 4

What was the Macellum?

Answer 4

Covered market where Pompeians could

Question 5

What was the mensa ponderaria?

Answer 5

public weights and measures table

Question 6

What was the Building of Eumachia?

Answer 6

the Guildhall of cloth trade

Question 7

Why did people graffiti?

Answer 7

• to persuade people to vote for them
• sending messages of love to one another
• to advertise their businesses (e.g. bakeries)
• to advertise gladiators shows theater plays