Basilica+Aemilia



The Basilica Aemilia was a public building in the Roman Forum, also named the Basilica Paulli and the Basilica Fulvia. It was considered to be one of the most beautiful public buildings in Rome, though it had been restored over three times during its lifetime. It was described as being intricately detailed, with the upper levels sporting vegetable decoration and statues of barbarians. Various capitals and friezes adorned the basilica (capitals being the ‘crown’ on pillars made in the Roman architectural design) that depicted events in the history of Republican Rome.

It was originally built in 179 BCE by the censors Aemilius Lepidus and Fulvius Nobilior and like all Basilicas, served as a public meeting place for business transactions, tribunals and other public matters. It fell into disarray many hundred years after its final restoration in 22 AD, destroyed presumably during the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths (with the green stains of melted bronze still evident on the marble floors today).