The Comitium, the open-air assembly area at the northern end of the Roman Forum, traditionally the place of legislative comitia tributa, of the rostra (until 44 BC), and of formal public business. In Cicero's day it was already a contracted space whose role had largely been transferred to the Forum proper. Frequent setting for orations and tribunician spectacle (Verr. 2.1.119; Pro Sest. 75-76).