he building
of the Basilica Julia was started in 54 BC, but only
finished a few years before it was burnt down in 9 AD.
Julius Caesar started the building and Augustus finished
it. After the basilica had been rebuilt it was dedicated
to the grandsons of Augustus: Gaius and Lucius. The
basilica was a centre of business and a court of justice
at the same time. The basilica Julia replaced the
basilica Sempronia. It was the largest basilica at the
Forum. It was 101 metres by 49 metres in size. The
central hall was 82 metres by 18 metres. The hall had
three storeys, the colonnade just two. In the basilica
Julia the centumviri were accommodated, first 100, later
180 magistrates, who passed judgement in civil cases.
They were spread over four chambers. Each chamber
consisted of 45 men and worked independently. Just in the
case of major and very important trials the chambers
worked together. The public was allowed to attend the
sessions. That is why lawyers organised the paid support
of a lot of people trying to influence the judges. These
supporters booed the lawyer of the other party and they
cheered the lawyer who had taken them on. Emperor
Caligula had money thrown from the roof because he liked
to see the people fighting for the money. The basilica
consisted of 3 naves, a big one in the middle and two
smaller naves at the sides. A colonnade separated the
naves.
he building
of the Basilica Julia was started in 54 BC, but only
finished a few years before it was burnt down in 9 AD.
Julius Caesar started the building and Augustus finished
it. After the basilica had been rebuilt it was dedicated
to the grandsons of Augustus: Gaius and Lucius. The
basilica was a centre of business and a court of justice
at the same time. The basilica Julia replaced the
basilica Sempronia. It was the largest basilica at the
Forum. It was 101 metres by 49 metres in size. The
central hall was 82 metres by 18 metres. The hall had
three storeys, the colonnade just two. In the basilica
Julia the centumviri were accommodated, first 100, later
180 magistrates, who passed judgement in civil cases.
They were spread over four chambers. Each chamber
consisted of 45 men and worked independently. Just in the
case of major and very important trials the chambers
worked together. The public was allowed to attend the
sessions. That is why lawyers organised the paid support
of a lot of people trying to influence the judges. These
supporters booed the lawyer of the other party and they
cheered the lawyer who had taken them on. Emperor
Caligula had money thrown from the roof because he liked
to see the people fighting for the money. The basilica
consisted of 3 naves, a big one in the middle and two
smaller naves at the sides. A colonnade separated the
naves. 
