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Interior view

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Reconstruction view

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Basilica Aemilia
Civic basilica with shops on the north side of the Forum
Reconstructed state: Building as first dedicated on site

Reconstruction issues

Building a Hypothetical Second Level

Committee member R. Scott, citing Ackroyd (2000), suggested removing the inscription that was found on site. There is reason to suspect that the inscription was being moved to the lime kiln located near the basilica and hence came from some other context in the Forum. (Level of certainty: low)

 (Level of certainty: medium)

Modifications suggested by review of the Scientific Committee

Scientific Committee member C. Giuliani argued to close the openings in the roof that Bauer suggested. The openings proposed are completely unsubstantiated.

 (Level of certainty: high)

Modifications suggested by review of the Scientific Committee

The height of the taberna parapet was excessive. The roof without the parapet was lowered and redesigned as a statuary backdrop. (proposed by Professor Giuliani)

 (Level of certainty: medium)

Modifications suggested by review of the Scientific Committee

Incorporate new samples of Breccia Africana marble to improve the coloration of the marble floor in the basilica. (proposed by Professor Giuliani)

 (Level of certainty: high)

Modifications suggested by review of the Scientific Committee

The space between the exterior columns on the third level was doubled, so that the proportion between the column size and intercolumniation conforms to Roman practice. (proposed by C. Giuliani)

 (Level of certainty: low)

Reconstructing from Analogy

Changed the shop floors to packed plaster or brick floor pattern as seen in other basilicas.

 (Level of certainty: medium)

Reconstructing from Drawing

Bauer hypothesized three levels in order to resolve the placement of small columns found on the site. This version is represented in the model.

 (Level of certainty: medium)

Reconstruction Issues

The interior framing was modeled after the framing of the porch of the Pantheon. (proposed by Professor Giuliani)

 (Level of certainty: medium)

Sources for Reconstruction

The lower level of the basilica and tabernae were preserved at levels ranging from six inches to five feet above the floor level. This provided evidence for some of the lower level decorative marbles, the floor patterns, location of lower level walls, columns and stairs. The floor pattern of the basilica is based on archaeological evidence found in site. The upper orders and decorative marbles based on archaeological evidence found on the site that have been reconstructed as indicated by the drawings of Heinrich Bauer (1993). The remains of the upper orders of the basilica can be seen at the Roman Forum Museum of the Forum Superintendency.

 (Level of certainty: high)

Original construction methods

Overall construction (Level of certainty: high)

1 Façades (Level of certainty: high)

1.1 South façade (Level of certainty: high)

1.1.1 First level (Level of certainty: high)

15 arcuated bays each flanked by a fluted Doric pilaster with an entablature of triglyphs alternating with bucrania and paterae. Pavement is reconstructed as white marble. This is the standard bay repeated on all façades of the structure. The last bay on the east projected exceptionally outward toward the Forum.

1.1.2 Second level (Level of certainty: high)

Repeats design of first level

1.1.3 Third level (Level of certainty: low)

Bauer reconstructs an attic decorated with statues

1.2 East façade (Level of certainty: high)

Reconstructed on the basis of the western façade

1.3 West façade (Level of certainty: high)

Known from the drawing by Giuliano da Sangallo (Cod. Vat. Barb. Lat. 4424, fol. 26), this façade was angled as it fronted the Argiletum. It had Doric pilasters on plinths and its entablature was decorated with triglyphs alternating with bucrania and paterae. Behind the façade was a vestibule providing access to the central hallway of the basilica.

1.4 North façade (Level of certainty: medium)

With the construction of the nearby imperial for a of Vespasian and Nerva, the original façade (which probably had the same modular design as is found on the other three sides) was closed. Insufficient evidence survives to reconstruct the façade in this phase.

2 Tabernae (Level of certainty: medium)

2.1 First level (Level of certainty: high)

2.1.1 Foundations (Level of certainty: high)

Tufa blocks

2.1.2 Pavement (Level of certainty: medium)

Reconstructed in opus spicatum

2.1.3 Fabric of walls (Level of certainty: high)

Opus quadratum with Anio tufa blocks. No evidence survives of stuccoing or other covering of the tufa.

2.1.4 Doorway(s) (Level of certainty: high)

Tabernae doors consisted of wood planks which were fitted in a groove in the marble floor, with the last plank locking to the wall. The exteriors of the doorways had marble surrounds integrated into the wall and pilaster design.

2.1.5 Vaulting (Level of certainty: high)

The tabernae were covered by barrel vaults in opus caementicium.

2.2 Second level (Level of certainty: low)

2.2.1 Pavement (Level of certainty: low)

Reconstructed in opus spicatum

2.2.2 Fabric of walls (Level of certainty: low)

Opus quadratum with Anio tufa blocks

2.2.3 Doorway(s) (Level of certainty: low)

Tabernae doors consisted of wood planks which were fitted in a groove in the marble floor, with the last plank locking to the wall. The doorways had marble surrounds integrated into the wall and pilaster design.

3 Basilica (Level of certainty: low)

3.1 First level (Level of certainty: high)

3.1.1 Foundations (Level of certainty: high)

The foundations of previous phase in blocks of Grotta Oscura tufa were cut, opus caementicium was poured into the cuts, and the new foundation was topped with new blocks of Anio tufa and travertine.

3.1.2 Fabric of walls (Level of certainty: high)

Opus latericium

3.1.3 Revetment of walls (Level of certainty: high)

Fragments survive of marble base molding and orthostats

3.1.4 Floors (Level of certainty: high)

Opus sectile with the following marbles: bardiglio in the side aisles; cipollino, africano, giallo antico, pavonazzetto and portasanta in the central hall.

3.1.5 Columns (Level of certainty: high)

Africano marble with Corinthian capitals in white marble

3.1.6 Frieze (Level of certainty: high)

White marble with historical scenes sculpted in relief

3.1.7 Covering of side aisles (Level of certainty: high)

Decorative plaster on concrete barrel vaulting

3.2 Second level (Level of certainty: low)

3.2.1 Wall (Level of certainty: low)

No evidence survives; reconstructed consistent with data surviving from first level.

3.2.2 Columns and statues (Level of certainty: high)

Cipollino marble shafts; before the bases extended avant-corps holding a statues of eastern peoples sculpted in marbles alternating between giallo antico and pavonazzetto. The wall between the statues was decorated with pilasters covered with vegetal motifs.

3.2.3 Frieze (Level of certainty: low)

Not known

3.2.4 Ceiling of side corridors (Level of certainty: low)

Reconstructed on basis of Roman architectural norms with wooden coffers

3.3 Third level, clerestory (Level of certainty: low)

3.3.1 Wall (Level of certainty: low)

No evidence survives; reconstructed consistent with data surviving from first level

3.3.2 Columns (Level of certainty: high)

Cipollino, africano and pavonazzetto marble

3.3.3 Frieze (Level of certainty: high)

Anthemion

3.3.4 Windows (Level of certainty: medium)

Bauer reconstructs windows

3.3.5 Ceiling (Level of certainty: low)

Reconstructed on basis of Roman architectural norms with wooden coffers

3.3.6 Rafters (Level of certainty: low)

Reconstructed as simple wood truss

3.4 Roof (Level of certainty: medium)

Reconstructed as covered with terracotta tile

Basilicas

Basilica Iulia