See Rostrum, 2.

The Rostra, located in the Roman Forum, was the platform beside the Curia from which orators spoke to the assembled people. Its name was taken from the bronze ships' beaks (rostrum) that decorated the front (some of the first of which, were taken from the victories in the battles of Anzio against the Volscians and Mylae in 260 BC), their supporting vertical slots and large holes still to be seen.