Campus Martius

Campus Martius is an ancient terrain beside the Tiber River in Rome that covers a large area and contains temples, theaters, and public spaces from different periods of Roman history. The archaeological sites are connected by ancient streets and show layers of structures that accumulated over centuries.

After the expulsion of King Tarquinius Superbus in 509 BCE, the land became public property where soldiers gathered before military campaigns. A transformation began when early structures like the Theater of Pompey were built in 55 BCE, fundamentally changing the purpose of the place.

The field served as the center for military training and ceremonies for centuries. Over time it became a place of entertainment and public gathering, where Romans came together to watch performances and participate in civic life.

The place consists of several scattered archaeological sites that can be explored on foot, with sturdy walking shoes recommended. It helps to bring a map or guide to locate the various remains and understand their connection to the ancient past.

The terrain once housed a gigantic sundial that used an Egyptian obelisk as its shadow-casting element, with bronze lines on the marble floor marking the hours. This sophisticated astronomical instrument was one of the most precise timekeeping devices of the ancient world.