Roman Architecture

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Roman Architecture

• Comparative Civilizations 12
• K.J. Benoy

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Origins of Roman Architecture

• As with sculpture, the Romans borrowed heavily
  from two cultures that they conquered the
  Etruscans and the Greeks.

Model of an Etruscan Temple
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Origins of Roman Architecture

• Elements of Roman architecture show very
  significant Greek influence.
• However, Roman functional needs sometimes
  differed, resulting in interesting innovations.
• The Romans were less attached to ideal forms
  and extended Greek ideas to make them more
  functional.

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Origins of Roman ArchitectureThe Maison Caree _at_
Nimes

• Romans needed interior space for worship, whereas
  the Greeks worshipped outside.
• Their solution was to extend the walls outward,
  creating engaged columns, while maintaining the
  same basic shape.

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Origins of Roman ArchitectureThe Maison Caree _at_
Nimes
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Roman Innovation

• To the original Greek orders, the Romans added
  two
• The Tuscan order.
• The Compostite order.

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Roman Innovation

• Tuscan Order
• Like the Doric, except this one has a base.

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Roman Innovation

• The Composite order combined elements of both the
  Ionic and Corinthian.
• It appears to be Corinthian acanthus leaves,
  supplemented with volutes.

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Roman Innovation

• The Romans were the great engineers of the
  ancient world.
• Their structures, particularly of public works,
  were often massive in scale.

Ruins of the Basilica of Constantine
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Roman Innovation

• The Roman ability to build massively was largely
  determined by their discovery of slow-drying
  concrete, made with pozzolana sand.
• This allowed not only bases, but also walls to be
  constructed of mainly concrete or concrete and
  rubble.
• Facings could be made of more expensive stone or
  inexpensive brick.
• The result was strong structures that could be
  formed in any desirable shape.

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Roman Innovation Massive Building the Temple
of Fortuna Primigenia

• The Temple of Fortuna Primigenia was a massive
  structure, made possible by concrete construction.

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Roman Innovation Massive Building Baths of
Caracalla

• Roman baths were the recreation centers of Roman
  cities, incorporating pools, exercise facilities
  and even libraries.
• They could serve hundreds or thousands at a time.

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Roman Innovation The Arcuated Arch

• Romans did not invent this form, but they used it
  well in bridges, within buildings, and to allow
  aqueducts to span rivers and gorges.

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Roman Innovation Composite Walls

• Note the use of a brick outer facing and a fill
  of concrete and rubble.

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Roman Public Water SupplyPont de Garde Aqueduct,
Nimes
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Roman Public Water Supply

• The Romans transported water from far away to
  cities via aquaducts.
• Cities themselves were plumbed, providing private
  water for the rich and for baths and communal
  supplies for poorer neighbourhoods.

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Roman InnovationEntertainment the Roman
Colosseum
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Roman Innovation- Public Entertainment

• Public spectacles be they gladiatorial combat
  or theatrical were given public venues.
• Theatres and arenas were built to hold multiple
  thousands of people and were engineered so as to
  allow quick and effective entry and exit.

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Roman InnovationEntertainment Ampitheater at
Nimes
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Roman InnovationWorship The Pantheon
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Roman InnovationWorship The Pantheon

• The magnificent interior space of the Pantheon
  was achieved by
• Employing a dome over a drum.
• Coffering the dome to reduce weight.
• Placing an occulus to allow light to enter.

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Roman InnovationHousing - Insulae

• Large apartment buildings housed most of the
  population of a Roman city.

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Roman InnovationRoad Building

• The need to move legions and trade goods in all
  weather led to the development of the best roads
  in the world (to the 19th century).

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Roman InnovationRoad Building
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Roman Roads Spanned the Empire
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Public Buildings Basilica

• Basilica were first built to house audience
  facilities for government officials.
• When Christianity became the state religion, this
  kind of building was adapted to Christian worship.

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Public Buildings -- Basilica

• A large nave is flanked by side aisles behind a
  row of supporting piers.
• An Apse draws attention in the direction of the
  altar.

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Conclusion

• The Romans were brilliant engineers.
• Their innovations form the basis of much of our
  civil engineering today.