The Roman town of “Forum Novum” was almost certainly founded in the 2nd century B.C, on a plain and at the crossroad of two important consular roads, the via Salaria and the Via Flaminia. Owing to this strategic position, a flourishing market developed, the remains of which can still be seen today. According to tradition, the apostle Saint Peter stopped there founding a Christian Community.

The archaeological site, which today is called Vescovìo, preserves the remains of Roman houses near ground surface, while remains of huge funerary monuments can be seen all around. Apart from the market itself, occasional survey digs, have brought to light, the location of the forum, the basilica and a temple.

Numerous epigraphs found in the area show that the city had reached the status of “Municipium”, ruled by a “Duoviri” as opposed to the usual “quadrumviratum”, allowing a more authoritative and immediate intervening of the authorities. In fact, there were frequent disorders in a market of this size. A large aqueduct, remains of which can still be seen, served the baths and the fountains of the city. Fragments of a stone plaque, which commemorates the benefactor who financed the construction of the aqueduct, can be seen in the facade of Villa Camuccini in Torri, and in the church of Santa Maria della Lode at Vescovìo.

Other inscriptions found in Forum Novum, document the political life, the administrative organization and the cult of numerous divinities: Venus ( to whom a temple was certainly dedicated), Ceres, Serapis, Mercury, Fortune and the domestic divinities Lares and Penates.

Recent studies carried out by the British Institute, have determined the area where the amphitheatre is located. This has not yet been excavated.