City Guide: Roma
This guide is an introduction to AW Rome by a citizen new to the census rolls. As such, all opinions expressed here are subjective and non-official.Caveat lector!
City Guide: Roma
by M. Fabius Furius
This guide does not currently review villas, unfinished properties, or domus dwellings. Certain properties strike the author as particularly worth visiting because of their design, special features, or strong informational content. These sites are indicated with a special mark of a golden dolphin. 
Introduction to Rome
Rome is the oldest and largest city in Ancient Worlds. Historically, Rome was founded in 753 BC, and established as a republic in 509 BC. At that time, Roman territory covered 800 square kilometers. By the end of the Republic, all of Italy was Roman territory, and Rome ruled several provinces and associated states. By the early years of the empire, Rome had around five million free citizens and perhaps two to three million slaves. The empire at the beginning of the 1st century AD is estimated to have had at least 60 million inhabitants within its boundaries. Rome is truly the great center of empire, and the City’s sights reflect this magnificence.
A map showing the Regiones of Rome provides easy-to-navigate links to each district’s home site.
There are eight districts to the capital. The color code shown in the titles below will be used throughout the rest of the guide for easy reference. Each Regio in Rome has its own introductory page with informative historical and topographic notes that help visitors become acquainted with its unique character. The hyperlinks below open the district introduction pages.
Visitor Information
Government Services
Praefecta Urbana, Subura -- the offices of the City’s Praefect maintains a roster of the current district leaders and boards for job listings throughout the city.
Villa Publica, Campus Martius -- the building of the censors used for the registration of all citizens during a census. A guide to the census is maintained here for public awareness of the process.
Aqua Claudia, Caelian -- brings fresh mountain spring water to residents in the southern districts of Rome. Apply now for piped connections.
Aqua Marcia: Castellum Divisiore, Subura -- maintains fresh water distribution in the Subura district. Apply to the curator aquarum for service connections.
Cloaca Maxima: Crypta Suburae, Subura -- provides drainage and sewer service in the Subura. Contact the inspector’s office to report a sewer problem.
Cursus Publicus, Forum -- headquarters of the network of couriers and transport wagons maintained by the imperial administration.
Public Safety
Aventine Collegium, Aventine -- home of the Aventine Vigiles, keeping order in their own way. Applications accepted at the Collegium offices for those who have what it takes.
Carcer, Forum -- Rome’s ancient prison has hosted ordinary criminals and several famous prisoners, including Jugurtha, King of Numidia.
News and Event Information
Acta Diurna -- contains news and articles from around the worlds of AW. Check listings for current festivals and events.
Health
Legal Help
Casa Advocatus, Forum -- legal offices and advice on Roman law available to citizens with cases before the courts.
Business Services
Port Authority of Rome, Aventine -- offers a listing service for businesses in Rome’s regiones and the province of Italy to advertise to Romans.
Settling In
Currency Exchange, Banking
Argentarius Furius, Forum -- services include currency exchange, bills of exchange, loans, debt payments, and deposit accounts. Your personal service bank in Rome.
Accommodations
Dining
Bacchus Taverna, Subura -- relaxed neighborhood tavern serving wine with a menu of appetizers, soup, and sausages.
Escae Roma, Forum – home of the Dormouse DeLuxe Burger. In addition to the main dining room, the Subura Café, the She-Wolf Milk Bar, and the Purple Pub are also on the premises. Located under the Temple of Saturn.
Libera’s Thermopolium, Aventine -- offers a changing selection of fresh dishes and fine dining. Reservations recommended.
The Loving Cup Caupona, Aventine -- a place to relax with friends, fine wine, and appetizers while enjoying musical entertainment. Located on Vicus Portae Trigeminae across from the Temple of Juno Regina.
Sign of the Owl, Aventine -- a friendly, neighborhood tavern with fine wine and entertainment.
What to See and Do
Sightseeing Suggestions for the First Time Visitor
Government District, Forum
The Temple District, Forum
The Temple District, Aventine
Circus Maximus, Aventine
SPQR
The Curia, Forum -- offers tours and historical overview of the Senate house.
Tabularium, Forum -- housing the archives of the Roman state.
Basilica Aemilia, Forum -- an elegant building considered one of the most beautiful in Rome. Shops line the portico along the Forum side.
The Regia, Forum -- built by Numa and the current office of the Pontifex Maximus. The building also houses the hastae and ancilia of Mars in the sacrarium Martis. Closed to the public.
Domus Publica, Forum -- the official residence of the rex sacrorum, closed to the public.
Forum Augustum, Forum -- the second of the imperial fora provides extended meeting facilities for the courts of law.
Forum Pacis, Forum -- the forum built by Vespasian.
Forum Traiani, Forum -- the magnificent complex built by the emperor features a short tour.
The Saepta (Furia), Campus Martius -- Rome’s ancient meeting place for voting by the comitia centuriata. The restored voting enclosure is used for voting, public assemblies, and exhibitions. Tour of the Saepta and neighboring Diribitorium.
Basilica Neptuni, Campus Martius -- public building with office space for collegia and associations located in Rome. The building also contains a museum celebrating the Battle of Actium and the works of Marcus Agrippa. Open daily.
Navalia docks, Campus Martius -- the main military dockyard along the Tiber with a superb museum on the history and development of the Roman navy.
Temples and Shrines
Omnium
Porticus Deorum Consentium, Forum -- this beautiful building on the Forum houses information on our City’s beloved Gods.
Pantheon, Campus Martius -- built by Agrippa in honor of the gens Iulia and dedicated in particular to Mars and Venus, the most prominent of the ancestral deities of that family.
Sacrarium Argei, Subura -- twenty-seven of these argei, or shrines, are located around Rome, built by Numa Pompilius for religious services and purification ceremonies. These shrines mark the annual mid-March route of the flamen dialis and Vestal Virgins before they throw the straw figures from the shrines into the Tiber.
Di Consentes:
Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Capitoline -- an austere temple devoted to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.
Temple of Juno Moneta Regina, Capitoline -- gracing the Arx, the temple was built after the war with the Aurunci fulfilling a vow of M. Furius Camillus. The sacred geese of this temple warned of the attack by the Gauls and the goddess herself has given warning before earthquakes. The first Roman coins were minted at this temple. Informative.
Temple of Juno Regina, Aventine -- a beautiful temple dedicated to Juno after the conquest of Veii. A good overview of the goddess’ importance.
Temple of Minerva Aventinensis, Aventine -- the temple to this major goddess on the Aventine offers an informative brochure for visitors.
Tour of the Temple of Mars Gradivus along the Via Appia south of the Caelian Hill. Features a complete calendar of festivals related to Mars.
Altar of Mars, Campus Martius -- the ancient shrine dedicated to Mars outside the city’s walls. This site has a museum and historical center dedicated to Rome’s legions.
Curia Saliorum, Palatine -- headquarters and offices for the Salii priests. The building also houses a sacrarium dedicated to Mars.
Temple of Diana Aventinensis, Aventine -- the ancient temple built to unify the Latins. Offers an informative, comprehensive guide to the goddess’ importance to Rome.
House of Vesta, Forum -- this complex houses the shrine of Vesta in which the sacred eternal fire is kept lit (closed to visitors), as well as the living quarters, offices, and archives of the Vestal Virgins.
Tour of the portions of the House of Vesta, Forum open to the public covers the history of the Vestals and the significance of the ancient shrine. Led by one of the Vestal Virgins by appointment.
Et Alia:
Temple of Vediovis, Capitoline -- the temple to this god commemorates victory over the Boii Gauls and marks the entrance to Rome’s sacred precincts on the Capitol.
Temple of Castor and Pollux, Forum -- a famous and beautiful building marking the southeast corner of the Forum. Dedicated to the twins Castor and Pollux in gratitude for Rome’s victory over the Latins, it has also often been used by the Senate for meetings.
Ianus Geminus, Forum -- the shrine to the god of beginnings spans the Sacra Via. The doors of this temple are a traditional indicator of peace when they are closed.
Ara of Ops Augusta, Forum -- an altar for public worship of the goddess of fertility and abundance dedicated by Caesar Augustus.
Temple of Bacchus, Aventine -- a small temple dedicated to this god, whose celebrations have been controversial in Rome.
Temple of Hercules Victor, Aventine -- a beautiful, circular-shaped temple to the great hero includes a quiz on Rome’s topography. Located in the Forum Boarium.
Shrine of Bona Dea, Aventine -- a shrine dedicated to the goddess of fertility worshipped by women. Offers an informative tour.
Temple of Libertas, Aventine -- a small, but important temple dedicated to the goddess of Liberty. The building contains the offices of the censors and their records, and is also home to the first public library in Rome established by Asinius Pollio.
Temple of Isis, Aventine -- a beautiful temple built for this Eastern goddess outside the Pomerium.
Synagogue of the Subura, Subura -- house of worship and active community center for members of this Eastern cult in Rome.
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Forum -- elegant temple dedicated to the emperor and his wife.
Temple of the Deified Julius, Forum -- temple dedicated to the deified Julius Caesar.
Memorial Tombs:
Aedes Memoriae, Forum -- dedicated to the memory of Caius Fabius by his friends.
Lararium of the Gens Aemilia, Esquiline -- memorial dedicated to the gens Aemiliae, their ancestors, and contributions to Rome.
Sepulcrum of the Gens Flaviae, Esquiline -- memorial to the gens Flaviae with a record of their illustrious ancestors.
Sepulcrum C. Cestius, Aventine -- unusual memorial tomb of Caius Cestius, praetor and tribune of the plebs, in the shape of a pyramid.
Natural Landmarks
Lupercal Cave, Palatine -- ancient site of fertility and purification rituals associated with Rome’s Lupercalia, honoring the City’s legendary past.
Tarpeian Rock , Capitoline -- overlooking a steep drop at the southwest corner of the Capitoline Hill, this natural outcropping is where condemned prisoners were flung to their deaths in ancient days.
Museums, Galleries, Historic Houses
Porticus Argonautarum, Campus Martius -- a shaded colonnade commemorating the legend of Jason and the Argonauts and their voyage to find the Golden Fleece. Rome’s meeting place for citizens interested in the culture of Hellas.
Porticus Meleagri, Campus Martius -- art and statuary dedicated to the hero Meleager and the slaying of the Calydonian Boar. Opposite the Porticus Argonautarum at the Saepta.
Villa of Kallistos Alexandros, Esquiline -- the lavish public rooms in the residence of this foreign prince are open to the Roman public.
Villa T. Pvllonis, Subura -- the home of the Subura’s praefect and a gathering place for the gens Lupus and the City’s poets.
Parks and Gardens
Inter duos lucos, Capitoline -- an open area between the twin summits of the Capitoline Hill. The ancient enclosure of Romulus’ Asylum is located here. Open to the public.
Platonensis Aventinus, Aventine -- a park with ponds and beds of flowers along walkways laid out under plane trees provides a place to relax and escape the summer heat.
Crassus’ Secret Retreat, Esquiline -- a tranquil patrician garden open to the public with a pavilion housing a guest book for comment and quotations.
Didius’ Vivarium, located near the Aurelian Wall at the Praetorian Camp – the best display of exotic and unusual animals anywhere in Rome or the provinces!.
Gardens of Kallistos, Esquiline -- a gift to the people of Rome, this estate features decorative public gardens and a nymphaeum.
Horti Maecenatis, Esquiline -- public gardens laid out to beautify this long-neglected district.
Trigarium, Campus Martius -- open fields along the Tiber for horse training, riding, and chariot practice.
Walking Tours
Aventine Walking Tour -- offers a short, lively overview of the district with a good view from the top of the hill.
Shopping
Shopping Centers
Macellum, Subura -- this ancient market in its restored splendor offers a variety of fresh food products for the family table or dinner party.
Porticus Aemilia, Aventine -- recently expanded, paved shopping center along the Tiber. Vendors seeking space should apply at the Administrative Office in Nave I.
Books
Amazonia, Aventine -- features a wide selection of Roman, Greek, and other authors on books, scrolls, papyri, and parchments. A well-stocked shop for the serious collector.
Cloth
Murrius Brothers Purpurarii, Forum -- dealers in purple cloth and dye. The brothers offer togae, tunicae, stolae, and custom orders dyed in true Tyrian purple.
Texta Orientis, Aventine -- fine fabrics, tapestries, and curtains imported from the East. This shop features a selection of tunics, sheets, and home furnishings in the latest styles.
Footwear
Jewelry and Gifts
Curio’s Gift & Deco Shop, Subura -- a small shop specializing in hand-crafted items. The Saturnalia department has unique gifts for the holiday.
Domus Depot’s Ye Olde Gift Shoppe, Aventine -- features a variety of flowers, gift baskets and festival presents for all occasions.
Taberna Gemmaria, Aventine -- offers a tasteful selection of fine jewelry for men and women. The best selection of rings, bracelets, and jewels in Rome. Fourth shop in the Green Turtle Market, Vicus Portae Trigeminae.
Furniture/Furnishings
Aemilii Fine Furniture and Gallery, Aventine -- a selection of furniture, sculpture, and paintings for the finest homes.
Domus Depot -- The place for decorating tips, free interior design options, and helpful, friendly advice on building the domus of your dreams.
Health and Beauty Supplies
Beauty’s Herb and Ointment Tabernae, Aventine -- offers exotic oils, plants and spices imported from Delos for the bath and medicinal uses. Features a selection of gifts and bath accessories for delivery.
Mercator Flavii, Post III, Palatine -- imports spices and incense from Arabia Felix and the East.
Spices by Marduk , in the Macellum, Subura -- offers a selection of spices for the table and household.
Food
Agrippinilla’s Garum Shop, Subura -- sells a variety of quality garum sauces made from family recipes.
Butcher’s Block, in the Macellum, Subura -- offers fresh cuts of meat trimmed to order.
Higgledy Piggledy, in the Macellum, Subura -- supplies Gaulish-style hams from Parma in Gallia Togata.
Mercator Flavii, Post I, Aventine - sells Egyptian grain to retail and wholesale customers.
Mercator Flavii, Post II, Subura -- supplies strong and flavorful garum sauces from Italy and the provinces.
Oleum et Bacca, in the Macellum, Subura -- fine olive oils from Venafrum and Spain, as well as fresh, salted, and preserved olives.
Panis Primis, Subura -- makes panis primis, secundus, and rusticus daily, as well as the popular libae, sweet honey cakes.
Piscatorium, in the Macellum, Subura -- fresh fish, mussels, eels, and squid in the tholos.
The Ripe ‘n’ Ready Market, in the Macellum, Subura -- this vendor offers a range of fresh produce, dried fruits, and eggs. Fresh cheeses and honey from local farms are also available. Prepared foods include soups and fresh bread and cakes.
Storehouse of the Salt Traders, Forum -- supplies salt to businesses, temples, and citizens; historical exhibit on salt and its uses now open to the public.
Wine
The Vintnery at The Loving Cup, Aventine -- stocks a selection of fine wines from Italy and Greece.
Vitis Vinifera, Subura -- stocks a wide selection of fine wines from throughout the Roman world and the unusual mead imported from Germania.
Animals
Aequimelium, Capitoline -- Sabine lambs are sold for Rome’s spring festivals in this open area of the Capitoline Hill.
Slaves
Spectator Sports
Circus Maximus, Aventine – offers racing, games, and shows in the world’s most spectacular venue! Check the box office for a current schedule of events.
Take the Circus guided tour for an amazing behind-the-scenes view and colorful stories about the Circus’ history. Leaves from the foot of the Palatine Hill.
Flavian Amphitheater, the “Colosseum,” Subura -- Rome’s first permanent amphitheater built to house games and spectacles. Check the box office for currently scheduled performances.
Ludus Gladiatorius, Subura -- the training grounds for the City’s gladiatorial combatants; offers information on the games and fan favorites.
Ludus Matutinus, Subura -- training school for the hunters and bestiarii appearing in the Colosseum and other City arenas.
Entertainment/Night Life
Teatro alla Sempronii, Esquiline -- a theater of the dramatic arts devoted to productions set during the Civil War and a play about an Egyptian princess named Aida.
Theatrum Marcelli di Tempo, Forum -- provides background on Roman theater traditions by a performer.
Lupanares
Ad Sororis, Subura -- a lively place for intimate private encounters with a selection of talented professionals. Located next to the Temple of Venus.
The Bent Phallic, Caelian -- offers efficient service at a convenient location near the Appian Way.
Personal Services
Domus Depot Urban Builder’s Guild, Aventine -- a confederation of Roman citizens offereing advice on building better domus and neighborhood structures.
Fullonica Lucretia, Aventine -- at four sestertii per tunic, Rome’s most affordable quality cleaners.
Schola & Ecclesia, Caelian -- provides a meeting place for education in the Christos cult.
The School, Subura -- Greek tutor provides the basics in reading and writing, mathematics, poetry and Roman history.
Thermas Syres et Decianas, Aventine -- a tastefully designed, authentic bath complex sure to please any Roman, located on the Vicus Sibani Salientis, near the Fountain.
Therma Novatianae, Subura -- these baths in the Vicus Patricius feature the full course of immersion basins and a palaestra for exercise.
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Posted Sep 20, 2007 - 20:16 , Last Edited: Apr 19, 2008 - 00:36
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Featured November 1 , 2007
