#forum of nerva

[artschoolglasses]

Forum of Nerva

Rome, Italy

[thecrankyprofessor]

Depictions of the Forum of Nerva, Rome, in 96 AD and 900 AD. Via @Varangian_Tagma on Twitter.

[ancientcharm]

Optimus princeps

Marcus Ulpius Trajan was born on 18 September 53 in Hispania Baetica ( Andalusia, Spain) in the ancient city Italica. He stood out for his military and political brilliance, his uprightness and fight against corruption, his austere character, and his philanthropy.

He was the only Roman emperor to whom he granted the title Optimus (The Best). With him the so-called Golden Age of the Roman Empire began. With him also began the so-called era of provincial emperors.

Trajan created Institutio Alimentaria, a program that helped orphaned and poor children throughout the Roman Empire. It provided food and subsidized education.

He conquered Dacia (Roman Dacia would evolve over time to give rise to present-day Romania) and defeated the Parthian Empire by conquering vast territories. During his reign the Roman Empire reached its maximum extension, setting its eastern border on the Tigris River and not on the Euphrates as it was before Trajan.

Trajan is mentioned in The Romanian National Anthem. In Romania the name TRAIAN is very common.

He was the only Roman emperor, before Constantine, who was held in high esteem in medieval and Renaissance Christian Europe, even though under his reign Christianity was prohibited (but without bloody persecutions).

Trajan was the last conqueror of Rome; his nephew and successor Hadrian marked the definitive borders of the empire.

"Be more fortunate than Augustus and better than Trajan" It became the greeting to emperors

Trajan spent his childhood during the reign of Nero. At the age of 15 he experienced the first civil war of the imperial era and the year of the 4 emperors. He made a career in the army under the principate of Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian; Was close and loyal to the Flavian Dynasty.

Following the assassination of Domitian in September 96, Nerva was proclaimed emperor.

In 97 a revolt by members of the Praetorian Guard forced the elderly and childless Nerva to adopt as his heir and successor the popular Trajan, then governor of Germania Superior.

Nerva died on 28 January 98 and Trajan succeeded him. One of his first acts was the construction of a limes to secure the Decuman Fields, Germanic lands on the right side of the Rhine, which had been won under Domitian.

Trajan arrived in Rome two years after being proclaimed emperor, having secured the Rhenish frontier. He was received with great joy.

Trajan's Forum in Rome was built by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, chosen by Trajan himself. It included a basilica, two libraries, and after Trajan's death, a temple was built in his honour. Trajan's Column is the only structure that has survived.

The column was inaugurated on May 12, 113 and consists of a long spiral frieze describing the Dacian Wars (101-106)

The Alcántara Bridge, Extremadura, Spain, widely regarded as a masterpiece of Roman engineering, was built during the reign of Trajan. Photo: Dantla from de.wikipedia - Own work, GFDL

His wife Pompeia Plotina. Ph: Carole Raddato. And his niece Salonia Matidia. Ph: Louvre Museum , CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trajan was married to Pompeia Plotina, who according to Pliny the Younger "Added to Trajan's virtues of modesty and nobility of spirit her own, for she was kind, intellectual and benevolent."

They had no offspring but Trajan had a single niece, Salonia Matidia, whom he and his wife loved as a daughter and in fact she lived with them since she was 10 years old when her father died.

This lady is the key to understanding how Trajan's successors, supposedly adopted by choice only for their qualities, are linked by blood or marriage ties related to Salonia Matidia. In the so-called "Antonine Dynasty" (name given by 18th century European historians) or dynasty of the "adoptive Emperors" all except Nerva were related to each other and to Trajan through women, either through collateral kinship, marriage or both.

Ulpius-Aelia is the correct name for the dynasty that begins with Trajan and ends with Commodus. And in the list of the "five good emperors" modern historians should eliminate Nerva, who did nothing good - and appointed Trajan as his successor under duress - and include instead Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius, who ruled for eight years and was a good ruler.

Trajan died of illness between 8 / 9 August 117 in Selinus (Cilicia). His wife placed the urn containing his ashes on Trajan's Column. He was deified by the Senate.

Trajan's Column, Rome. Photo: Nikon Z7II, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Trajan's Column was an absolute novelty in ancient art and became the most avant-garde work of Roman historical relief.

[salantami]

War Boots of the Colossal Statue of Mars that was found in the Forum of Nerva in Rome, from the 1st century AD (now in Capitoline Museum, Rome).

[whencyclopedia]

Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome

The Temple of Mars Ultor stands in the Forum of Augustus in Rome and was built to commemorate Augustus' victory in 42 BCE at the Battle of Philippi over the assassins of Julius Caesar. The building became the place where important military decisions were taken and a site of several state ceremonies with a military connotation.

The Forum of Augustus

The Forum of Augustus originally covered some 8,000 square metres and was built next to Caesar's Forum. Later, it would be bordered on the left side by Trajan's Forum and on the right by Nerva's Forum to create the complex known today as the Imperial Fora. Dominating this civil space created by Augustus was the temple dedicated to Mars, the god of war in his guise as 'the Avenger' (Ultor).

The temple was finally inaugurated (although still not quite finished) in 2 BCE and it came to function as the focal point of Roman military strategy. For example, Augustus decreed that it should be the meeting place for the Senate when decisions of war were taken. The temple was also the place where young Roman males were ceremoniously given their adult toga, thus becoming eligible for military service, and it was the official departure point for commanders embarking on military service in the empire.

The temple was designed to reflect the style of the nearby Temple of Venus in Caesar's Forum and so create an architectural harmony. There was one notable difference, though, in that the temple of Mars Ultor was made one and a half times bigger. The temple, typical of Roman architecture, was built on a raised platform and entranced via steps which were originally flanked by fountains, once again, in imitation of the arrangement outside the Temple of Venus.

Continue reading...

[lux-vitae]

Forum of Nerva, Rome by Samuel Prout (1783-1852)

[beatricecenci]

Arnold Böcklin (Swiss, 1827-1901)

Nerva Forum, Rom

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

wayward (grand)daughter: side story

He felt as if he’d taken a fall down the Fourm steps.  All of them.  With a gleaner’s backpack.  With a groan, Fourchenault opened his eyes, hissing slightly as the light hit his pupils.  He shut them for several moments, working on getting his bearings.  The last thing he remembered was...

Nerva.  Or the monster that had once been Nerva, the Tower of Babil--

Lady Fortemps, watch out!

Riven was a sky-blue blur, darting and dancing around the battlefield as fast as she could while Nero attacked at the fiend with his hammer.  But it was no good, Nerva was fixated on Riven and it was taking everything he had to keep the shields he cast on her strong, if they broke she was dead--

Fourchenault’s eyes flew open as memories of the previous day’s events all registered at once.  However instead of the light meeting his gaze, there was someone else. 

“Are you awake?”

Mathye Bishop.  The hyur was looming over his bedside, hands on his hips and...looking the none worse for wear after yesterday’s battles.

“Oh good, his lordship finally deigns to finally fucking grace us with his presence on the waking plane.”  

“I...what?”  Fourchenault got out.

“You passed out.  In the snow.  Face first.  I drew the short straw on keeping your pointy-eared arse alive.  You’re welcome, by the way.”  Mathye added, almost as an afterthought.  Irritation spiked in the elezen-and before he could stop himself, his tongue was moving.

“If I die, I will make sure my children ensure that you know no peace for the rest of your days!”  He snapped.  To his surprise, Mathye barked with laughter, a smile spreading across his face.

“I’d be expecting them to do that!”  He said.  “Now that we have the formalities out of the way-how are you feeling?  Like you probably went several rounds in the bloodsands.”

“An apt description.”  Fourchenault muttered.  Experimentally, he tried moving-legs, arms, gods, even his fingers ached.  He considered himself to be in fairly good shape and was proud that he’d been able to keep up in battle, but clearly the state of his muscles was proclaiming otherwise.

“I healed the worst of the damage.  Overextended your aether, cracked ribs, your right ankle was broken, and you had a nice little concussion.  You’ve just got bruising now--which means you’re going to feel like overall warmed-over shite for a good couple of days.  Heavy hand on the painkillers or booze, whichever one’s your fancy.”  Mathye’s hands flew out as Fourchanualt slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position on the bed.

“Easy.”

“The other city-state leaders?  Lady Fortemps?”

“Various injuries but nothing too severe.  As for Riven...”  Mathye trailed off, his head turning.  “Ah, I think she’s waking up, she’s on the other side.  I’ll check on her, you stay here.” 

“Where in the bloody hell can I even go?”  Fourchenault muttered-but it was to the healer’s back.  A quick scan of his body revealed a host of bruises in various shades of dark blue and purple, and his aetherical resources--while replenished, it hurt to draw upon them.  Still muscle aches were better than the alternative.  With a wince, Fourchenault glanced at the curtain that hung alongside his bed...and then could only blink at the string of blistering Limsan profanity that erupted from behind it. 

Oh good gods...  It sounded like Riven was awake, and...not pleased.  Grimacing, Fourchenault slowly made his way out of the bed--oh for the love of Thaliak he was moving like an old man--and towards the very edge of the curtain.  Mathye was snarling right back at his patient, and as the elezen rounded the corner, he spotted Riven sitting up in her own bed--

********

The sound of a man’s angry voice met Fourchenault’s ears as he entered the infirmary.  An emergency session of the Forum was being called regarding the recent events that had happened with the peace envoys sent to Garlemald.  One of the diplomats had been Roderick DeGlass...and as Fourchenault got a clear view, the hyuran man’s voice was filled with rage--

********

But he wasn’t in Sharlayan, this was Garlemald, and it wasn’t Roderick he was hearing or seeing--

For several moments Fourchanault could only stand there, overwhelmed by the sudden feeling of deja-vu.  His presence must have registered, for Riven and Mathye stopped swearing at each other.

“Master Leveilleur?”  With a start, Fourchenault forced himself back to reality.  Riven was staring at him.

“Is everything alright?”

“I...yes.  I-I’m sorry.  For a moment there you reminded me of someone I knew.”  Twelve, it had to be his current situation that had made him think of DeGlass’s son.  Fourchenault glanced at Riven again, but the moment had passed.

“Ahem.  I do feel I should ask...could you two at least compose yourselves with some decorum?”

[unexpected-analogues]

The Forum of Nerva

[romanaprosperitea67]

Imperial Fora

(113 CE) It's been too many years since I was back in the capital, but luck has been on my side as it has brought me back for two weeks. Today I didn’t plan on doing any special excursions as I just wanted to enjoy this time of leisure, but even so I somehow ended up on one. Shockingly, in all of the time I had spent in Rome, I’ve never been to the Imperial Fora. I’m kicking my own behind for that one. Usually I do any shopping or trading in local stores by my inn, but I heard talk about the new forum that had been opened from the men in the stall I was at. We talked a little bit as I knew little of it and they had told me it is a collection of forums built for previous emperors. Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian, Nerva, and the newest addition for Trajan. They spoke of all the ceremonies and speeches that have taken place there, it was a great gathering of all walks of life as it was open to the entirety of the public. One of the men had mentioned that he went to go see the Temple of Peace after he read that Pliny claimed it to be one of the most beautiful works the world has seen. 

When I tell you guys this place was huge, I mean huge. I saw gardens in the Temple of Peace, the Temple of Mars Ultor, the Basilica Ulpia, the libraries, The Column of Trajan, and more. It was a city within a city. I don’t know if it was the extravagance of the Fora or if it was light bouncing off the marble, but it was as if the Gods were shining warmly down on us. As I was in the midst of purchasing a new palladium, I dove into discussion with the woman of the stall as I had mentioned that I am a traveler and this is my first time in the fora. She was telling me, and now me telling you, that we must visit on days where games or religious rituals are held. Apparently they’re quite the gatherings.

My trip to the fora was an exhausting one but fulfilling. My last word for you are to come and visit everything the Imperial Fora has to offer. Arts, religion, politics, business, anything you dream of you can find here. You will not regret it.

Vivat Imperium Romanum!

[natalievela3]

Quinquatria

The last day of your trip is the celebration of the goddess Minerva called Quinquatria traditionally took place on 19 March during heyday of the Roman Republic. This festival consists of drunken and masked revelers and musicians roamed the streets of Rome and met in the evening in front of the temple of the goddess. A scene depicting Quninquatria activities as well as Minerva in the company of her entourage can still be seen in the frieze decorating Nerva’s forum. Quinquatria is dedicate to the Goddess of wisdom and war; Minerva. The festival is said to be in honour of the day in which Minerva’s temple on Aventine Hill was consecrated, and so the first day of the event itself was solely nominated as a day of religious observance whilst the other days were said to involve circus games. It was during this festival that women were more often to consult with fortune tellers as the belief was that Minerva had created numbers, which was an integral part in the divinity. The festival of Minerva is celebrated by women and children (in their capacity of spinners and weavers), by artisans and artists of every kind, and by poets and painters. One the first day of the festival was celebrated with sacrifices by the State in honor of the founding of the temple. On the following days the gladiators performed, and there were social gatherings in the houses. On June 13 the minor quinquatrus took place. The festival lasted three days. It was celebrated by the guild of the flute-players, an important and numerous body at Rome. They honoured the goddess as their special patroness by meeting at her temple, by masked processions through the city, and by a banquet in the temple of Jupiter of the Capitol. This concludes our trip thank you so much so following me along Ancient Rome and allowing me to document my trip. I had a splendid time.

[furlantravelfashionblogger]

Il 18 settembre del 96 d.C. Marco Cocceio Nerva diviene Imperatore.

Tra le molte sue opere ricordiamo il Foro da lui voluto accanto a quello di Augusto.

Marcus Cocceius Nerva became emperor on September 18, 96 A.D..

He is remembered for the Forum he built alongside that of Augustus.

📸 by annadlaire via IG

#VisitRome Sovrintendenza Capitolina

[ancientsstudies]

Forum of Nerva.

[artschoolglasses]

Forum of Nerva

Rome, Italy

[comamormimi]

Forum of Nerva

Nerva’s Forum (AD 96-8) is represented by two columns - the last remains of a colonnade that once flanked the forum - supporting a frieze that depicts, in relief, the goddess Minerva and a group of women doing their household chores (Minerva was their patroness), along with a ruined podium belonging to the Temple of Minerva. 

The temple was plundered by Pope Paul V in 1606 to provide the stone for his Fontana dell’Acqua Paola . Also called the Forum Transitorium, because it joined Vespasian’s Forum of Peace with the Forum of Augustus, Nerva’s Forum was constructed over the Argiletum, an ancient street leading into the Subura. Remains of the Argiletum can be seen at the foot of the two columns, the gulleys in its surface the result of years of wear by wagon wheels.

[illustratus]

Forum of Nerva in Rome by Charles-Louis Clérisseau