Comitium

The Comitium can be defined as the most important public monument of the Latin colony; in it the curia meetings (comitia centuriata) took place during which the magistrates of the colonies were elected and judgments were issued. The building was erected at the time of the establishment of the colony, or at a time immediately thereafter. It refers to a typology well known in the Roman architectural tradition and which is particularly well preserved in Paestum. 

Located in the center of the northern side of the forum, between two series of twelve shops on each side. The embankment was supported by a large rectangular block wall, which also had the function of orienting the space according to the rigid prescriptions of Roman ritual, according to which judicial time and that of the curia had to be marked by the course of the sun. The Curia, seat of the local senate, was set up in the center of the northern side. 

The building of the III century BC lost its role in the 2nd century BC for the benefit of the nearby forum and was partly absorbed by the temple of Mens Bona on the western side.