ROSTRUM, or, more properly, ROSTRA, was a platform or elevated Brace of ground in the Rennin forum, from which the orators used to address the people, and which derived Its name from the circumstance that after the conquest of Latium the beaks (rostra) of the Antiatian fillips were affixed to the front of it. (Liv., viii. 14.) The rostra was between the Consilium, or place of assembly for the Curie, and the Forum, properly so called, or place of assembly for the Comitia Tribute. Bunsen, In his work on the Roman Forum, quoted by Arnold (' History of Rome,' vol. ii., p. 165), judging from the views of the rostra given on coins, supposes that " it was a circular building, raised on arches, with a stand or platform on the top, bordered by a parapet, the aces toto it being by two flights of steps, one on each side. It fronted towards the comitium, and the rostra were affixed to the front of it, just under the arches. Its form has been, in all the main points,
preserved in the ambones, or circular pulpits, of the most ancient churches, which also had two flights of steps leading up to them, one on the east side, by which the preacher ascended, and another on the west side, for his descent. Specimens of these old pulpits are still to be seen at Rome, in the churches of S. Clement and S. Lorenzo fueri le lure." The orators appear to have walked up and down the rostra in addressing the people, and did nut, like modern speakers, remain standing in one spot. Down to the time of Caius Gracchus even the tribunes In speaking used to front the comitium ; but ho turned his back to it, and spoke with his face towards the forum. (Niebuhr, 'History of Rome, voL i., note 990; voL iii., note 268.)