CHAP. XXII. The Forum of Augustus: the galleries of Antonius, Faustina, and Livia: Caesars house.
THe Romane Forum, those also of [Iulius] Caesar and Augustus, were (as it is well knowne) neere one to another. That of Augustus, they affirme to have been at the image of Marforius, in the most frequented place of the citie: it was but little in compasse, as the other of Caesars, but ex∣cellently well adorned with brave statues and other things. For it had the statues of Castor and Pollux, with the victorie of Alexander the Great: the image also of Corvinus, and of the raven that up∣on his helmet fought. Also Apollo in yvorie: and besides these, other ensignes and ornaments of ver∣tue and valour.
In this Hall or Forum, publicke justice was administred: and the judges from thence were empa∣nelled: herein they debated in councell, of wars, of triumphes, and other weightie affaires. From hence they used to goe when they tooke journey into their provinces with soveraigne commaund. Hither, they that returned victors, brought the ensigns and tokens of their victorie. This Forum be∣ing by time decaied, Hadrian reedified.
This Forum had two porches, wherein were the statues set out and decked in triumphant maner.
Augustus dwelt in the street Sacra, in a house not so large and stately, but marveilously furnished by his neece Livia. And Augustus not able to abide this wastfull superfluitie of riches, pulled it downe and laid it even with the ground: in the void plot and court-yard whereof, was afterwards built the gallerie of Livia; which also was called Claudia. Nero cast it downe, but Domitian built it up againe under the old name.
The goodlie galleries of Antonine and Faustina, adorned with divers and sundry marbles well built in old time, were whereas at this day standeth the church of S. Laurence in Miranda.