Right next to the Colosseum are the impressive ruins of the Roman Forum.  The Forum Romanum was the center of life in Imperial Rome, evidenced by the many remains of triumphal arches, temples and basilicas.  Until 509 BC, when Rome became a republic, the city was reigned by an Etruscan dynasty of Tarquin Kings. They built a sewer, the ‘Cloaca Maxima’, to drain water from the marshlands of the valley between the Palatine, Capitoline and Esquiline hills to the Tiber river.

From then on the area became a center of activity and it was the political heart of Rome until the fall of the Roman Empire more than one thousand years later. It was the site of the first forum. Here, triumphal processions took place, elections were held and the Senate assembled.  Temple to Saturn, Temple of Vespasian and Titus, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Basilica Julia, Basilica Aemilia, Basilica of Maxentius, Temple of Divus Romulus and a Temple of Vesta, were all once here. There were three Triumphal Arches, first one constructed by Augustus in 29 BC.  This is a great place and certainly worth the visit.  Having said the the worse way to see all these monuments is with a private or semi private tour.  When you get here you will be offered these just about every 50 m or so. The closer you get the higher the price and the ‘better’ the offer and the longer line up will await you if you don’t buy this tour right now.  According to the pushers their tour starts in 10 minutes – always in 10 min, even when you are in the line up and have been standing there for 30 min the tour still starts in 10 min.  To avoid the line ups get a Roma Pass, skip the lines and skip the sales pitch.  Our tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum was going to take about 4 hours and cost €130.00  We got the tickets to both and a video guide for €30.00.  Unlike what the pushers say, kids under 18 are free which is important to remember.  It pays to do your homework in advance that is for sure, and we are glad we did.