Movement and Fora in Rome (the Late Republic to the First Century CE) more

Since his search had taken him out of his way along a winding path, he decided to shorten his journey on the way back, and go straight through the forum
(Phaedr. Fab. 3.19.5–7)

An examination of movement to and through the Forum Romanum and imperial fora, this paper considers the location of the forum within the 'natural movement' of the city of Rome, before detailing the gradual enclosure of space and restrictions on access (both of the forum and of individual sites within it). It begins by looking at different representations of the fora and the role of the Forum Romanum as a short cut in urban journeys. It then looks at the use of ropes and cancelli to restrict movement, and looks at the ways a new 'urban disposition' of restricted accessibility influences the through-movement potential of the later imperial fora.