Central square of Rome, in the valley between the Capitoline, Palatine, and Quirinal hills, the center of the city's public life. Triumphal ceremonies, elections, assemblies, public speeches, and funerals of nobles were held there; the Rostra, the platform of the orators, allowed speaking to the people. It was also a commercial and sacred space, with temples such as that of Saturn and that of Vesta.
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