The Roman Forum, By David Watkin
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Unlike the previous 15 volumes in Profile's excellent "Wonders of the World" series, this learned but lively book explores a site that "can be baffling, ugly and frustrating".
Watkin blames archaeologists for making the Forum "more or less impenetrable" to non-specialists. Nevertheless, he promises to reveal "a genial and humane place to visit".
Watkin is informative about Roman survivals – noting the ill-luck that befell the dedicatee of the still-intact Arch of Septimius Severus (the Emperor died in York soon after and his succeeding sons were murdered, one by the other) – but half his book is devoted to "post antique monuments", such as the Baroque church of SS Martina e Luca, the "most sophisticated building in the Forum".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments