Curia

The meeting place at Rome for the Senate, near the Comitium and the Forum, built by Caesar starting in 44 BC. The term also refers to similar meeting places for assembles built in other Roman towns and colonies, which were also placed adjacent to the forum. They had tiers of marble bench seats around a large D-shaped or rectangular room. Rebuilt many times, this building now survives in a version restored by Diocletian in 303 AD.

A Latin term used in the early period of Rome’s history to denote a principal subdivision of the Roman people. Each of the original three tribes of Romulus were subdivided into ten curiae. This division was important for military organization, and for political representation — an early assembly is called the comitia curiata. From this association with political meetings comes the more general use of curia for ‘senate’ — often, under the Empire, a municipal senate. The term is also used for the senate house itself, and particularly of the Senate House at Rome. Rebuilt many times, this building now survives in a version restored by Diocletian in 303 ad, and owes its survival to Church use.