Four of these public squares join closely together, but the fifth stands a little apart. This last is located near the northeast end of the Old Forum, verging toward the Subura and the Esquiline, and is the “Forum of Peace,” constructed by Vespasian about 75 A.D. The open area, however, is relatively small, for its center is occupied by the imposing “Temple of Peace.” This temple is adorned with a perfect gallery of sculptures and paintings, nearly all of them masterpieces by the Greeks. These works of art had formerly occupied Nero’s Golden House until that grandiose structure was destroyed by the thrifty Vespasian. In this Temple of Peace likewise are kept those precious Jewish spoils shown on the Arch of Titus, and there is not merely a fine library but a hall for the savants and scientists when they meet for their learned conventicles. =238. The Fora of Julius, Augustus, and Nerva.=--In dealing with the four connected fora it profits little to multiply detailed descriptions; one glittering marble edifice succeeds another around each square. Nearest to the Old Forum lies the Forum Julium. Julius Cæsar paid out 100,000,000 sesterces ($4,000,000) merely for the land which it occupies, and its buildings are worthy of the costly soil whereon they stand. In its center rises the great Temple of Venus Genetrix, “mother” of the Julian line. Here at times the Senate can convene, while the shops under the porticoes around are among the finest in Rome. [Illustration: FORUM OF AUGUSTUS AND TEMPLE OF MARS THE AVENGER: restored.] Directly north of this Forum Julium is the Forum Augustum. When young Octavius went forth to avenge his adopted father against Brutus and Cassius he vowed a temple to Mars Ultor (“Mars the Avenger”). Later as the Emperor Augustus, most splendidly he fulfilled this vow. The porticoes around the plaza are of Numidian marble, and variegated marbles compose the pavements; the open area is covered with bronze _quadrigæ_ (four-horse chariots), triumphal arches, and, of course, numerous statues, some of precious metals, while the Temple of Mars Ultor itself matches all its rivals in magnificence. To the south-east of the Forum of Augustus and joining it to the Forum of Peace is the smaller Forum of Nerva. This plaza was really begun by Domitian, but when that tyrant perished ere completing the task, it was finished and named by the eirenic Nerva. It is really a kind of broad thoroughfare leading down from the Subura district, although upon it fronts a fine Temple of Minerva. One of the features of this square is a stately avenue of statues of the deified Emperors. =239. The Forum, Column, and Libraries of Trajan.=--By far the finest of the imperial fora, however, is that of Trajan--and all the buildings, when we visit them, are still relatively new. It opens to the northwest of the Forum of Augustus, and is not really a single square but a genuine series of squares.