#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.

[illustratus]

Forum of Nerva in Rome by Charles-Louis Clérisseau

[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).

[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.

[italianartsociety]

By Jean Marie Carey

The celebration of the goddess Minerva called Quinquatria traditionally took place on 19 March during heyday of the Roman Republic. (It was so-called because it was held on the fifth (quinqu-) day after the Ides.). 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 was founded in commemoration of the vowing of a temple to Minerva on the Aventine in 263 BCE. This day was known as artificum dies, “the day of artisans,” as artisans of all kinds took part in the celebrations. In his description of the festival, Ovid highlights Minerva's association with spinning and weaving, as well as with the teaching of other arts and crafts such as shoemaking, painting, and sculpting.

In later accounts of popular mythology, Minerva (who was the Etruscan Menrua and Greek Athena) was chiefly associated wisdom through learning as well as martial prowess and medicine. Together with Jupiter and Juno she formed the Capitoline Triad in Rome, and was also widely worshipped in Etruria. In Etruscan iconography, Minerva is usually depicted in armor, often accompanied by Mars. Images of both Athena and Minerva often show the goddess with her favorite attribute, an owl.

During the Principate, the cult of Minerva spread to the provinces, and the goddess became fused with local deities in Western Europe. The cult of Sulis Minerva in Roman Britain resulted from a fusion between Minerva and the Celtic healing deity Sulis.

Reference: Rafael Scopacasa. “Minerva.” The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published online 26 October 2012. DOI: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah17272

Minerva, c. 150, with 18th-century resorations in white marble, gilded onyx and marble. Musée du Louvre, Nr. MR 2225..

Minerva, c. 150. Originally in the garden of San Martino de'Monti, Rome. Now in Musée du Louvre, Nr. 1056.

Sarcophagus with Minerva, Apollo and the Satyr Marsyas playing a concert; detail, c. 300. Musée du Louvre, Nr.  2347.

Breast ornament with bust of Athena, c. 150 BCE. Princeton University Art Museum, Nr. 61.

Acropolis, Temple of Athena Nike, 427-424 BCE. Bryn Mawr College (MJM-004948). Photo:  Machteld Johanna Mellink.

Antonio Giaccarell. Minerva, with Owl and the Adriatic Lion overview from front, 1830, Venice. Photo: Sarah Quill.

Temple of Minerva, Forum of Nerva, 87. Rome. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Further Reading: Philippe Borgeaud. Mother of the Gods: From Cybele to the Virgin Mary. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.

Marguerite Rigoglioso. Virgin Mother Goddesses of Antiquity. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.

[dererumgestarum]

FORUM TRANSITORIUM

The Argiletum was the main thoroughfare connecting the Subura to the Forum Roman. Lined with squalid timber houses, this unsightly road contrasted sharply with the Forum of Augustus to the north and the Templum Pacis to the south.

Around AD 85, Domitian undertook to transform the Argiletum into an imperial forum that would also serve as a magnificent traffic corridor. Like the other fora, an imposing temple (in this case hexastyle, prostyle, and pseudo-peripteral) was erected on a tall podium at the eastern end. The temple was dedicated to Minerva (a deity for whom Domitian had a special devotion). Domitian’s forum would be the smallest of the imperial fora.

The numerous architectural similarities to the Domus Augustana confirm that Rabirius, Domitian’s court architect, designed the forum as well. The narrow space precluded the flanking colonnades used in the previous fora. Rabirius retained the idea of the colonnades by placing a row of Corinthian columns 1.75m from the enclosing walls, along the length of the forum.

Rabirius’ daring experimentation is on full display in the Forum Transitorium. The columns carry a densely-ornamented entablature (a Flavian predilection) that projects with each column, but reverts to the wall in the intervals. The attic of each interval received a full-length figure in relief, exemplified by the image of Minerva seen between the two surviving columns. (The two extant columns are referred to by modern Romans as le colonnace.) This striking solution dramatically enriched the articulation of the wall. It also increased the length of the frieze, which depicts the myth of Arachne, who dared to challenge Minerva to a weaving contest, and scenes of Minerva supervising docile sewing women. The latter may have been an illusion to an annual artisan’s festival that took place in the Forum.

At the time of Domitian's assassination in AD 96, the forum was largely completed. The temple was dedicated by his successor, Nerva, in AD 97. Although it was Officially named for the new emperor, the Forum Nervae quickly came to be known as the Forum Transitorium, reflecting its function as a means of getting from one place to another.

In the 230s, Alexander Severus commissioned a group of bronze statues of the deified emperors for the Forum Transitorium, which were placed in between the columns on pedestals. This arrangement echoed the statuary gallery of worthy Romans seen in the neighboring Forum of Augustus.

The most innovative forms of Roman architecture often appear first in wall painting. The second style architectural imagery of Cubiculum 16 of the Villa of the Mysteries includes arcades with tall, projecting cornices that closely resemble le colonnacce. These imaginative capriccios decorating a seaside villa would have to wait 150 years before an architect to realize them in stone in an urban setting.