Curia Hostilia

The Curia Hostilia, was the original Senate House of Rome. It is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Tullus Hostilius , in the 7th century BC. Although it was likely rebuilt.

History

The building was demolished in 80 BC under Lucius Cornelius Sulla to enlarge the curia and accommodate an increase in the number of senators. It was replaced with the Curia Cornelia, located in almost the same space. This structure was in turn replaced by the Curia Julia started by Julius Caesar and finished by Augustus Caesar.

Relatively little is known about the Curia Hostilia. One feature of the Curia that is mentioned in almost all sources is the "Tabula Valeria," a painting on the exterior of the Curia’s western wall. It depicted the victory of Manius Valerius Maximus Corvinus Messalla over Hiero and the Carthaginians in 263 BC. Pliny says that the painting was the first such picture in Rome.

Another fact most sources agree on is that the Curia Hostilia was located on the north side of the Comitium. It is believed that the circular set of stairs of the Comitium which also doubled as seating for citizens listening speakers at the Rostra, led up to the Curia's entrance. With regard to the Curia’s location, Stambaugh writes, “[T]he Curia Hostilia was built on rising ground so as to dominate the whole space of the Forum Romanum”. Given its prominent place in the Forum, it seems that the Curia Hostilia was a symbol of the strength of the Roman Republic.

See also

• Curia Cornelia
• Curia Julia
• Julius Caesar

Works Cited

• Aicher, Peter J. Rome Alive: A Source-Guide to the Ancient City. Wauconda, Illinois: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2004.
• Claridge, Amanda. Rome. An Oxford Archaeological Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Platner, Samuel Ball and Thomas Ashby (ed.). A Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome. London: Oxford University Press, 1929.
• Stambaugh, John E. The Ancient Roman City. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1988.
• Richardson, Lawrence. A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1992.
• University of California. Digital Roman Forum. Retrieved 10 March 2007. University of California, Los Angeles, 2005.
• http://dlib.etc.ucla.edu/projects/Forum

References

External links

• 
• Livius.org: Curia Julia