What was the term for the local meeting hall in Roman cities?

The local meeting hall in Roman cities is referred to as the Curia. This term specifically designates the building where the Senate convened and where local councils gathered to discuss civic matters. In Roman architecture, the Curia was an important structure that facilitated political discourse and decision-making within the city. It served as a space for senators and local officials to gather for legislative activities and deliberations.

The Forum, on the other hand, was a public square that served multiple purposes, including commercial, political, and social activities, but it was not exclusively a meeting hall. The Senate was the governing body itself, rather than a physical building, while the Stoa, though a colonnaded structure often used for gatherings in Greek city-states, is not related to Roman civic organization in the same context as the Curia. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the Curia is the correct term for the local meeting hall in Roman cities.