The Roman forum was the most important Forum in Rome and was originally a marketplace before it became the civic center of ancient Rome. The center of the land used to be a swamp with small artifacts trapped in the mud like archaic vases dating back to 8 B.C. After the forum was built and used as a marketplace it later evolved into something more functional and versatile because public affairs were being conducted in it. Once it became overcrowded Julius Caesar expanded it with an area to the side of the original site and Emperor Augustus later added to that. One of the main buildings was the Curia or Senate House where political events happened. During the 7th century after being rebuilt several times the Curia was converted into a church. Over the years due to political and economic event taking place in other places the forum was neglected before being destroyed in 410 A.D. The forum was the center of Roman day to day life where elections happened, public speeches, and criminal trials.