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Public Buildings (continued)
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The Forum was the centre of Pompeii when it was first founded and even after the city's enlargement, when it could hardly be called 'central', it remained the focus of political, economic and religious life. The Forum was quite large, measuring 157 x 38 metres and, together with the surrounding public buildings could contain all the inhabitants of the city.
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The colonnade with solid Doric columns made from Nocera tufa (on the right of the photograph) was built round the Forum in the Samnite period.
The Romans paved the square with travertine and had begun renovating the colonnade along the east and west sides, erecting Doric columns, also of travertine, with a second order of Ionic columns above (the lighter columns in the photograph).
The Forum was arcaded on three sides, the exception being the north side which comprised a building, the Temple of Jupiter, and two honorary arches.
The base of the portico was raised above the level of the square in order to keep vehicles out of the Forum.
On the south side of the Forum were all the buildings involved in Pompeii's public life; the Basilica, the Municipal Offices and the Comitum.
The east side of the Forum was occupied by the Building of Eumachia, the Temple of Vespasian and the Sanctuary of the Lares Publici.
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Aside from the bases, nothing remains of the many honorary statues that graced the Forum - they were probably never replaced after the earthquake of 62 AD.
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The Palaestra is situated next to the Amphitheatre south of the Via dell'Abbondanza in the eastern quarter of the city. It was constructed in the Augustan period and occupies an area of 140 x 130 metres.
The Palaestra consists of a central area for sporting activities surrounded by a high wall with entrances to east and west. On the inside, along three sides, was a portico of Ionic columns.
In the centre was a large swimming pool measuring 37 x 4 metres and varying in depth from 1m at the west end to about 3m at the east.
There was a large latrine on the south-east side.
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The palaestra had been badly damaged in the earthquake of 62 AD and like many other buildings in Pompeii was
still being rebuilt at the time of the eruption.
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