Curia Hostilia facts for kids
Curia Hostilia in red with the Republican Comitium diagram
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 Curia Hostilia
Location in Rome
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| Location | Region VIII Forum Romanum |
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| Coordinates | 41°53′35″N 12°29′07″E / 41.89306°N 12.48528°E |
| Type | Government building |
| History | |
| Builder | Tullus Hostilius |
| Founded | 7th century BC |
The Curia Hostilia was one of the first and most important meeting places for the Roman Senate in ancient Rome. Think of it as an early parliament building. It was believed to have started as a special temple. Here, different groups who had been fighting would agree to stop.
Later, during the time of the Roman kings, this temple became a place for senators. Senators were like important advisors to the king. A king named Tullus Hostilius is thought to have rebuilt it after a fire. The Curia Hostilia was a very old and important spot in Rome. It was even connected to ancient altars and monuments like the Lapis Niger, a famous black stone. The building was made bigger around 80 BC. Sadly, it burned down in 52 BC during a time of unrest.
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The Curia Hostilia: Rome's First Senate House
For most of Rome's long history, there was always a special building where important people met. The Curia Hostilia was one of the earliest and most famous. It was a central place for Roman politics.
What Was the Curia Hostilia Like?
The Curia Hostilia changed its look many times over the years. But it always kept its main shape and purpose. This building was where all the important political decisions were made in early Rome. It's said that ordinary people could even walk in and listen to the senators debate.
Not much is known about all the details of the Curia Hostilia. But one famous feature was the "Tabula Valeria." This was a large painting on the outside wall. It showed a Roman general named Manius Valerius Maximus Corvinus Messalla winning a big battle in 263 BC. People say it was the first painting like it in Rome.
Most sources agree that the Curia Hostilia was located on the north side of the Comitium. The Comitium was a circular area with steps. These steps were used by citizens to sit and listen to speakers at the Rostra, a platform for speeches. The steps also led up to the Curia's entrance. The Curia Hostilia was built on higher ground. This meant it looked down over the whole Roman Forum, making it a powerful symbol of the Roman Republic.
How the Curia Hostilia Was Built
The very first building on this spot might have been an ancient Etruscan temple. It probably had just two columns and an open front area. People think this temple was later changed into a meeting hall. They might have closed off the front with bricks to create a waiting room. There might have even been a balcony for people to watch from, but we don't know much about it. It's believed that the outside of the Curia Hostilia might have looked similar to the later Curia Julia.
The Fire That Destroyed It
The Curia Hostilia was completely destroyed by fire in 52 BC. This happened when a crowd used the building as a place to burn the body of a politician named Publius Clodius Pulcher. The fire spread and burned the building to the ground.
After this, a new building called the Curia Cornelia was built in almost the same spot. Later, Julius Caesar started building an even newer senate house, the Curia Julia. This was finished by Emperor Augustus.
Images for kids
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Curia Hostilia in red with the Republican Comitium diagram
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Map of ancient Rome
