The forum in a Roman city was always located at the intersection of the two main boulevards. The purpose of the forum ranged from administrative roles to commerce. At the forum could be found administration offices, temples, the town market place, and general social gathering point.

This sketch represents archaeologists' belief in what the Forum in Pompeii looked like.  

Santini, Loretta.  Pompeii and the Villa of the Mysteries.  Narni, Italia: Casa Editrice Plurigraf, 2000.