 Curia
The first Roman Senate House was built by Tullus Hostilius
at the northwest corner of the Forum square with the compass. The senators
met here for centuries in a simple building, furnished only with wooden
benches and a desk and chair for a speaker. The Curia Hostilia was destroyed
by a group of Romans protesting the murder of their hero Clodius.
The Curia which stands today was begun by Julius Caesar
in 44 B.C. He aligned this new Curia with its surrounding structures. The
interior has three steps for the senator's seats on either side of the vast
hall. A speaker's podium was located at the end opposite of the door. The
Curia Julia was dedicated by Augustus in 29 B.C.
The present pavement and architectural decoration date
from the time of Diocletian, who is credited with the restoration in 283
A.D. after the Curia was damaged by fire. Transformed at the beginning of
the seventh century into the church of St. Hadrian. The bronze doors were
moved to the church of St. John Lateran. The Curia was restored to its original
form as closely as possible in the 1930's. The original bronze doors are
still hanging on the church of St.John Lateran. | 
