Foro di Cesare (Forum of Caesar), Rome

The Forum of Caesar, also known as Forum Iulium or Forum Julium, was a significant forum built by Julius Caesar adjacent to the Forum Romanum in Rome in 46 BC. Caesar's decision to construct this forum led to the acquisition of expensive parcels of land in the northeast section of the Forum Romanum. The actual construction of the forum likely began in 51 BC, with the assistance of Cicero and Gaius Oppius, who were tasked with purchasing the land on Caesar's behalf as early as 54 BC.

On the eve of the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, Caesar made a vow to erect a temple dedicated to Venus Victrix, the legendary ancestor of his own clan, the gens Iulia. This dedication was a strategic move to gain the favor of Venus Victrix, who was Pompey's beloved goddess, before facing Pompey in battle. As Caesar became increasingly involved in the project, the Forum of Caesar evolved into a place for public affairs associated with the Senate, as well as a shrine dedicated to Caesar himself and Venus Genetrix.

Prior to his assassination, Caesar would convene the Senate in front of his temple, a controversial act that was met with disapproval by the Senate. The Forum of Caesar also had an impact on the Curia, which Caesar began to reconstruct in 44 BC, moving it closer to the forum. The proximity of the ten tabernae on the western side of the Forum to the Senate house symbolized the unity Caesar sought to establish between himself and the Senate.

Additionally, Caesar placed a statue of his favorite horse in front of the temple, which was later accompanied by a statue of Caesar himself riding the horse after his assassination.

Subsequently, during the reigns of Caesar and Augustus, the entire Forum underwent extensive reconstruction under the supervision of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Following this period, senatorial activities within the Forum diminished, except for the secretarium senatus established in the 4th century. The forum experienced restoration work under Diocletian after a fire in 283 AD.