The Forum
Pompeii's forum is situated in the south-west part of the city, it was the city center, where you would have found the main temples such as the temples of Giove and Apollo. The forum was also the political and economic center that controlled law and where you would find state buildings. It was also the place where trading took place.
Basilica
The basilica is the most important public building in Pompeii. It was used to administer justice, and for traders' meetings. This area is rectangular in shape and measures 24 metres in width and 55 metres in length. 28 large brick columns divide it into three naves. At the end of the basilica emerges the tribunal rostrum with two styles of columns which betray the Greek influence. It was built approximately in 120 BC, thus in the pre-Roman era.
