Sarah Buckley
Roman Architecture
What is Roman Architecture?
Roman architecture adopted the external language of classical
Greek architecture for the purposes of the ancient Romans, but was different
from Greek buildings, becoming a new architectural style. The two styles are
often considered one body of classical architecture. Roman architecture
flourished in the Roman Republic and even more so under the Empire, when the
great majority of surviving buildings were constructed, some of which the ruins
remain, to which we’ve researched and learned..
What was it famous for?
Ancient Roman architecture used new materials, particularly
concrete, and newer technologies such as the arch and the dome to make
buildings that were typically strong and well-engineered. Large numbers remain
in some form across the empire, sometimes complete and still in use to this
day.
How popular is it outside of Rome?
In Europe the Italian Renaissance saw a conscious revival of
correct classical styles, initially purely based on Roman examples. Numerous
local classical styles developed, such as Palladian architecture, Georgian
architecture and Regency architecture in the English-speaking world, Federal
architecture in the United States, and later Stripped Classicism and PWA
Moderne.
Roman influences may be found around us today, in banks, government buildings,
great houses, and even small houses, perhaps in the form of a porch with Doric
columns and a pediment or in a fireplace or a mosaic shower floor derived from
a Roman original, often from Pompeii or Herculaneum. The mighty pillars, dome
and arches of Rome echo in the New World too, where in Washington, D.C. stand
the Capitol building, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and other
government buildings. All across the US the seats of regional government were
normally built in the grand traditions of Rome, with vast flights of stone
steps sweeping up to towering pillared porticoes, with huge domes gilded or
decorated inside with the same or similar themes that were popular in Rome.
History
While borrowing much from the preceding Etruscan architecture,
such as the use of hydraulics and the construction of arches, Roman prestige
architecture remained firmly under the spell of Ancient Greek architecture and
the classical orders. This came initially from Magna Graecia, the Greek
colonies in southern Italy, and indirectly from Greek influence on the
Etruscans, but after the Roman conquest of Greece directly from the best
classical and Hellenistic examples in the Greek world. The influence is evident
in many ways; for example, in the introduction and use of the Triclinium in
Roman villas and terraces as a place and manner of dining. Roman builders
employed Greeks in many capacities, especially in the great boom in
construction in the early Empire.
Roman architecture covers the period from the establishment of the
Roman Republic in 509 BC to about the 4th century AD, after which it becomes
reclassified as Late Antique or Byzantine architecture. Almost no substantial
examples survive from before about 100 BC, and most of the major survivals are
from the later empire, after about 100 AD. Roman architectural style continued
to influence building in the former empire for many centuries, and the style
used in Western Europe beginning about 1000 is called Romanesque architecture
to reflect this dependence on basic Roman forms.
Corinthian Roman architecture
The word "Corinthian" describes an ornate column style
developed in ancient Greece and classified as one of the Classical Orders of
Architecture. The Corinthian style is more complex and elaborate than the earlier
Doric and Ionic Orders. The capital or top part of a Corinthian style column
has lavish ornamentation carved to resemble leaves and flowers. Roman architect
Vitruvius observed that the delicate Corinthian design "was produced out
of the two other orders."
Doric Roman architecture
The Doric Order was the first style of Classical Architecture,
which is the sophisticated architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome that
set the standards for beauty, harmony, and strength for European architecture.
The other two orders are Ionic and Corinthian. Doric Order is recognizable by
two basic features: the columns and the entablature.
Ionic Roman architecture
The Ionic capital is characterized by the use of volutes. The
Ionic columns normally stand on a base which separates the shaft of the column
from the stylobate or platform while the cap is usually enriched with
egg-and-dart.
The ancient architect and architectural historian Vitruvius associates the
Ionic with feminine proportions (the Doric representing the masculine).
Famous Roman architects
Any list of Roman architects has to begin with a single name:
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. Vitruvius was not just a Roman architect, he was the
Roman architect. So, what made Vitruvius so great? Well, Vitruvius was the
architect of Julius Caesar from 58 to 51 BCE. Not only did he build several
structures, but he also traveled extensively around the Mediterranean and
studied architecture from a theoretical perspective. The result was a major
text entitled De Architectura, written between 30 and 20 BCE.
De Architectura was the first major Roman treatise on
architecture, and in it Vitruvius tackles several issues. For one, he outlined
the architectural styles of the Greeks, and organized them into what we call
the Greek orders of architecture. He discussed building in terms of math and
science, as well as philosophy, arts, and social welfare. He saw architecture
as a unification of arts and sciences, in which the final product could help
create a more ideal society.
After Vitruvius, there were many architects who helped Rome grow.
Only one, however, can really be said to rival Vitruvius's fame. Apollodorus of
Damascus was a 2nd century CE architect from Damascus, then part of the Roman
Empire (today part of Syria). Apollodorus was the favored architect of the
emperor Trajan, who ruled from 98-117 CE. Under Trajan, Rome stretched its
imperial borders further than ever before. Trajan celebrated the success and
wealth of Rome by commissioning a large number of building projects, most of
them executed by Apollodorus.
10. Arch of Septimius Severus
This monumental arch was constructed in 203 AD in recognition of
the unprecedented Roman victories over the Parthians in the dying years of the
second century. It was under Septimius Severus’ rule that Rome was able to successfully
suppress a raging civil war among its neighboring states. But the icing on the
cake came when he immediately declared war on the Parthian Empire and brought
the Parthians to their knees. In recognition of his achievements, the Roman
Senate had one of the most beautifully decorated triumphal arches erected on
his return to Rome.
Originally, it had a bronze gilded inscription as homage to Septimius and his
two sons Caracalla and Geta for having restored and expanded the Roman
Republic. It was a unique triumphal monument by all standards in contemporary
Rome. Even today, despite some heavy damage, it stands as a lasting reminder of
the once flamboyant Roman Republic.
9. Temples of Baalbek
A major attraction and a remarkable archaeological site in
present-day Lebanon, Baalbek is considered as one of the most spectacular
wonders of the ancient world. It also happens to be one of the largest, most
prestigious, and mostwell-preserved Roman temples built in the ancient Roman
era. The first of the Baalbek temples was constructed in the first century BC
and over the next 200 years, the Romans built three more, each dedicated to the
gods Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus respectively.
The largest temple among them was the Temple of Jupiter, which had 54 huge
granite columns, each one around 70 feet (21 meters) tall. Although only six of
these columns survive today, their sheer scale is enough to show the majesty of
the Baalbek temples. After the fall of Rome, the Baalbek temples suffered from
theft, war, and natural disaster, but they are still able to conjure up the
aura of magnificence to this day, with thousands of people visiting the famous
Baalbek temples every year.
8. Library of Celsus
Named after the famous former governor of the city of Ephesus, the
Library of Celsus was actually a monumental tomb dedicated to Gaius Julius
Celsus Polemaeanus. This amazing piece of Roman architecture was constructed on
the orders of Celsus’ son Galius Julius Aquila. It was also a popular
repository for important documents and at the height of its use, the Library of
Celsus housed over 12,000 different scrolls.
It had beautifully carved interiors and equally mesmerizing architectural
designs on the exterior, making it one of the most impressive buildings in the
ancient Roman Empire. The architecture of the library is typically reminiscent
of the building style that was popular during the rule of Emperor Hadrian. The
entire structure is supported by a nine-step podium which is 69 feet (21
meters) long. The surviving facade of the building retains its amazing
decorations and relief carvings which only add to the grandeur of the
structure.
7. Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard, literally the Gard bridge, is one of the few
surviving aqueducts constructed during the Roman Empire. Located in present-day
southern France, it was built somewhere in the middle of the first century AD.
This aqueduct was constructed without the use of any mortar; Roman engineers
built this three-story masterpiece by fitting together massive blocks of
precisely cut stones. These huge blocks of stone weighed up to six tonnes each,
and the bridge itself measured up to 1180 feet (360 meters) at its highest
point.
The Pont du Gard was a pivotal structure in an aqueduct that stretched over 31
miles (50 kilometers) in length. The success of this engineering marvel was
essential in making the entire aqueduct functional because it supplied water to
the city of Nimes. In the end, the Roman engineers pulled off an outstanding
feat of contemporary engineering and hydraulics. The Pont du Gard has been used
as a conventional bridge throughout the Middle Ages, right up until the 18th
century.
6. Aqueduct of Segovia
Located on the Iberian peninsula, the Aqueduct of Segovia still
retains its structural integrity to this day, making it one of the
best-preserved pieces of architecture from ancient Rome. It was built somewhere
around 50 AD to facilitate the flow of drinking water from the River Frio to
the city of Segovia. On its completion, it was an unprecedented 16km-long
structure built using around 24,000 giant blocks of granite.
Just like the Pont du Gard, Roman engineers built the entire structure without
any mortar. With 165 arches, all of which are over 30 feet (9 meters) in
height, this architectural phenomenon has been a symbol of Segovia for
centuries. The aqueduct had to go through an extended period of reconstruction
during the 15th and 16th centuries after years of use and structural neglect.
By the 1970s and 1990s, some urgent and necessary conservation action was
undertaken to preserve the monument and its glory.
5. Maison Carrée
Maison Carrée is the only temple constructed in the time of
ancient Rome that is completely preserved to this day. This marvel of Roman
engineering was built around 16 BC in the city of Nimes. Maison Carrée is an
architectural gem that stands 49 feet (15 meters) tall and runs along a length
of 85 feet (26 meters). It was built by Roman General Marcus Vipanius Agrippa
in memory of his two sons who died young. With the imminent fall of the Roman
Empire on the horizon, Maison Carrée was given a fresh lease of life when it
was turned into a Christian church in the fourth century.
This decision spared this majestic temple from the neglect and destruction
faced by many other Roman monuments and landmarks. Since then, it has been used
for various purposes such as a town hall, stable, and storehouse. At present,
it is a museum.
4. Diocletian’s Palace
This marvelous building was built by the famous Roman emperor
Diocletian in preparation for his retirement. Diocletian was the first Roman
emperor who voluntarily retired from his position, citing declining health
issues. After his retirement on May 1, 305 AD, he went on to spend a quiet life
in this majestic palace.
The palace covers around 705 feet (215 meters) from east to west and its walls
are about 85 feet (26 meters) high. At a time when the Roman civilization was in
transition from the classical to the medieval era, architects were able to
incorporate different building styles that had been used over the ages. It also
helped that Christians used the palace as a cathedral in the Middle Ages,
preserving its structural integrity throughout the medieval period. At present,
Diocletian’s Palace is one of the most popular archaeological attractions in
Croatia, and also a world heritage site as declared by UNESCO.
3. Amphitheater, Nimes
When this famous amphitheater was built in the city of Nimes, the
city was known by the name of Nemausus. From around 20 BC, Augustus started to
populate the city and give it a structure more akin to a typical Roman state.
It had a number of splendid buildings, a surrounding wall, more than 200
hectares of land, and a majestic theater at its heart. Better known as the
Arena of Nimes, this astoundingly large theater had a seating capacity of
around 24,000, effectively making it one of the biggest amphitheaters in Gaul.
It was so large that during the Middle Ages, a small fortified
palace was built within it. Later, somewhere around 1863, the arena was
remodeled into a huge bullring. It is still used to host annual bullfights to
this day.
2. Pantheon
The Pantheon is arguably the most well-preserved architectural
marvel from the ancient Roman era. Unlike many other contemporary Roman temples
that were almost always dedicated to particular Roman deities, the Pantheon was
a temple for all the Roman gods. The construction of this temple was completed
in 125 AD during the rule of Hadrian.
The Pantheon has a large circular portico that opens up to a rotunda. The
rotunda is covered by a majestic dome that adds a whole new dimension to its
grandeur. The sheer size and scale of this dome is a lasting testimony to the
skills of ancient Roman architects and engineers. The fact that this astounding
piece of engineering still stands to this day, surviving 2,000 years’ worth of
corrosion and natural disasters, speaks volumes for its build quality.
1. Roman Colosseum
When the famous amphitheater, the Colosseum, was built in ancient
Rome, it had an area of 620 by 523 feet (189 by 159 meters)), making it the
largest amphitheater of its time. The construction of the Colosseum, the largest
and most popular ancient Roman monument, began during the reign of Emperor
Vespasian in 72 AD. By the time it was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD, a
never-before-seen amphitheater with a seating capacity of over 50,000 was ready
for use.
It could accommodate such large numbers of spectators that as many 80 different
entrances were installed. It is said that its opening ceremony – the grandest
of all spectacles – lasted for about 100 days. In that time, about 5,000
animals and 2,000 gladiators fought to their deaths in an unprecedented
extravaganza of gladiatorial and bestiarius battles.
