Forum of Peace 1

View looking west at the southwest portico—where the seven columns are—and the southwest portion of the large "garden" that was west of the Temple of Peace.  In the center of the image are two parallel walls that are joined in the center of the image.  This is a part of one of six such low structures.  Some believe that these were actually raised gardens and had a small aqueduct flowing on top of them.  A partial one is seen to the right of this one.

The Temple of Peace and this Forum were built by Vespasian.  It was financed from spoils from the First Jewish Revolt (A.D. 66–70) and was inaugurated in A.D. 75 to commemorate the end of the civil wars that followed the death of Nero.  The "Forum" was actually a garden and the Temple of Peace and associated rooms and Porticos housed works of art, a library, and precious objects from the Temple of the Jew in Jerusalem—probably including the Menorah (or menorahs), Tables, and maybe Incense Altar.  These were on public display!