As opposed to the Roman forum the Imperial fora don't seem nowadays to be a part of it. The road which nowadays divide the two ancient areas was built in the time of the fascist regime led by B. Mussolini. These once monumental and richly decorated squares sign the end of the ancient Rome's Republican age and were built for one and a half century from the time of Julius Caesar onwards. In the ever growing city of Rome they provided more room for government, business, religious worship, and were still considered very important public and ceremonial areas which also enhanced the emperors fame and immortality.

The Forum Iulium (Forum of Julius Caesar) was the first of the Imperial Fora to be built. Probably to rival Pompey's large theater complex, the Forum of Caesar was planned most likely by himself in 54 B.C and constructed as an extension to the Roman Forum. Using the spoils of his campaigns and victory in Gaul, he designed a forum that would serve not as a marketplace, but as an area to accommodate Rome's other business and governmental interests. Caesar's forum was officially dedicated in 46 B.C., though still unfinished. The Forum Iulium was completed by Augustus some time after Caesar's assassination.

The second Imperial forum built in Rome was the Forum of Augustus. Built both to rival the Forum Iulium and to accommodate even more space for Rome's population, this forum was begun around 20 B.C., using the spoils of battles fought against Spain, Germany, and Egypt. The Forum of Augustus was built adjacent to Caesar's Forum and it allowed more space for the law courts and other government functions. Though not all of the land required to complete the original plan could be purchased, construction of the forum and its centerpiece, the Temple of Mars Ultor (the Avenger), went ahead. The unfinished forum was dedicated in 2 B.C., with elements added by Tiberius (two arches) in A.D. 19, and restorations carried out later by Hadrian.

The Forum of Vespasian was dominated by the Temple of Peace, and the area is sometimes referred to by that name. After emperor Vespasian captured Jerusalem in A.D. 71, he began plans for this area. The forum also contained two long halls that likely were Greek and Latin libraries. The Forum of Vespasian was meant to commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem and symbolized the beginning of a period of long-sought peace in Rome. The Temple of Peace, revered for its size and grandeur, and the forum was dedicated in A.D. 75.

The Forum of Nerva was begun by Domitian and completed by Nerva in A.D. 97. It is also known as the Forum Transitorium, because of the way it enclosed the Argiletum (a street in the city that led to residential areas), which was a main throughway between the Suburra (a densely populated and therefore chaotic district in the city) and the Forum Romanum. This forum included a temple dedicated to Minerva and a temple to Janus.

The largest and most impressive of the Imperial Fora was also the last one in Rome, the Forum of Trajan. This forum was dedicated in A.D. 112. It had originally been started by Domitian, but work ceased with his assassination in A.D. 96. When Trajan saw victory in Dacia in A.D. 107, he used the spoils to complete the forum. The forum held several different structures, with varying functions. These included a true forum area, a public square (a piazza). There was also the Basilica Ulpia, libraries, the Column of Trajan, and markets. It was in this forum that the consuls held office and slaves were freed. After Trajan's death, Hadrian had the Temple of Divine Trajan built there.