Die Portikenfassade des Forums von Cumae

Cumae’s great importance in the Roman period is attested by the forum. The forum is being investigated by the University of Naples Federico II in a project under way since 1994. It is now possible to reconstruct the west and south sides in their entirety. The buildings on the forum, which dates back to the beginning of the 3rd century, date predominantly from the Late Republican and Imperial periods. The picture that has emerged of an axially symmetric, spatially self-contained area is emphasized by the uniformly aligned and equally high portico facades of plastered grey tuff. The porticoes that line three sides of the square terminate in front of the Capitolium, which borders the complex on the west side. Surviving architectural elements provide evidence of a rich variety of form in the two-storey porticos that have a total height of ca. 12 m and exhibit previously unknown combinations of arcades and colonnades. The ground floor displays various orders, Doric on the narrow east side and Corinthian on the north and south long sides near the Capitolium. An unusual feature are the masks of the balustrades in the eastern portico. The frieze with weapon reliefs belongs to the Corinthian order on the sides adjoining the Capitolium. The article discusses the meaning of the architectural members, which are important for the reconstruction, chronology and iconography, and also reveal the intentions of the donor.