The
Curia Hostilia was one of the original senate houses or "
curia" of the
Roman Republic. It is believed to have begun as a temple where the warring tribes laid down their arms during the reign of
Romulus (r. c. 771–717 BC). During the early monarchy, the temple was used by senators acting as council to the king.
Tullus Hostilius (r. 673–641 BC) is believed to have replaced the original structure after fire destroyed the converted temple. It may have held historic significance as the location of an Etruscan mundus and altar. The
Lapis Niger, a series of large black marble slabs, was placed over the altar (known as the
Volcanal) where a series of monuments was found opposite the
Rostra. This curia was enlarged in 80 BC by
Lucius Cornelius Sulla during his renovations of the comitium. The building burned down in 53 BC when the supporters of the murdered
Publius Clodius Pulcher used it as a pyre to cremate his body.