RŎGĀTŌRES. [[Comitia], [p. 107].]
RŎGUS. [[Funus], [p. 188], b.]
ROMPHEA. [[Hasta].]
RŌRĀRĬI. [[Exercitus], [p. 165].]
ROSTRA, or The Beaks, was the name applied to the stage (suggestus) in the Forum, from which the orators addressed the people. This stage was originally called templum, because it was consecrated by the augurs, but obtained its name of Rostra at the conclusion of the great Latin war, when it was adorned with the beaks (rostra) of the ships of the Antiates. The Greeks also mutilated galleys in the same way for the purpose of trophies: this was called by them ἀκρωτηριάζειν. [[Acroterium].] The rostra lay between the Comitium or place of meeting for the curies, and the Forum or place of meeting for the tribes, so that the speaker might turn either to the one or the other; but down to the time of C. Gracchus, even the tribunes in speaking used to front the Comitium; he first turned his back to it and spoke with his face towards the forum. The rostra was a circular building, raised on arches, with a stand or platform on the top, bordered by a parapet, the access to 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. The speaker was thus enabled to walk to and fro, while addressing his audience. The suggestus or rostra was transferred by Julius Caesar to a corner of the Forum, but the spot where the ancient rostra had stood still continued to be called Rostra Vetera, while the other was called Rostra Nova or Rostra Julia. Both the rostra contained statues of illustrious men.
Rostra on Coin of M. Lollius Palicanus. (British Museum.)
ROSTRUM. [[Navis].]
RŎTA. [[Currus].]