Description of the Macellum (Reg VII, Ins 7, 7/8) ,, The internal square, measuring 37 x 27 metres, had, in its centre, a rotunda with 12 columns containing a fish pond as shown on the plan and in the photograph (below). On the eastern wall were three areas, the central one dedicated to the Imperial family. ,, The Macellum, or food market, stands in the north-east corner of the Forum. .. It was a complex built in the imperial age as a covered market, and had large shops on its periphery on the Via degli Augustali and on the Forum as well as on the inside under a colonnade around its large internal square. ,, .. The twelve sided building was probably used as a fish market (a large quantity of fish bones and scales were found in a nearby drain). .. .. The Macellum had large shops both inside under the colonnade and outside on Via degli Augustali and the Forum. The facade of the Macellum looking onto the Forum (top left), contained shops which may have been used by money changers. .. .. The Macellum had three entrances, the main one on the left of the plan above, accessing directly off the Forum. This entrance was divided into two passageways by an aedicule set in the centre (above left), containing a statue of a member of the Imperial family.

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