History of Architecture 1౨ৎ ⋆｡˚
♥ T he Romans were the great
Chapter 5: engineers of the ancient world.
Roman Architecture Their structures, particularly of
(2nd Century–4th Century A.D.) public works,were often massive in
scale.
♥ The Roman ability to build
massively was largely determined
Origins of Roman Architecture౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ by theirdiscovery of slow-drying
♥ A s with sculpture, the Romans concrete, made with pozzolana
borrowed heavily from two cultures sand. This allowed not only bases,
that they conquered,the Etruscans but also walls to beconstructed of
nd the Greeks.
a mainly concrete or concrete and
♥ Elements of Roman architecture rubble.
showvery significant Greek ♥ Facings could be made of more
influence. expensive stone or inexpensive
♥ However, Roman functional needs brick.The result was strong
sometimes differed, resulting in structures that could be formed in
interesting innovations. any desirable shape.
♥ The Romans were less attached to ♥ M assive Building:The Temple of
“ideal” forms and extended Greek Fortuna Primigeniawas a massive
ideas to make them more structure,made possible by
functional. concrete construction.
♥ Romans needed interior space for ♥ R oman bathswere the recreation
worship, whereas the Greeks centers of Roman cities,
worshiped outside. incorporating pools, exercise
♥ Their solution was toextend the facilities and even libraries. They
walls outward, creating engaged could serve hundreds or thousands
columns,while maintaining the at a time.
same basic shape. ♥ T he Arcuated Arch- Romans did
not invent this form but they used it
Roman Innovations౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ well in bridgeswithin buildings and
♥ T
o the original Greek orders, the to allow aqueducts to span rivers
Romans added two: and gorges.
♡ he Tuscan Order- Like the
T ♥ C omposite Walls- Note theuse of a
Doric except this one has a base. brick outer facing and a fill of
♡
T he Composite Order- The concrete and rubble.
Composite ordercombined ♥ Public Water Supply: The Romans
elements of both the Ionic and transported water from far away to
Corinthian. It appears to be cities viaaqueducts.
Corinthian acanthus leaves, ♥ Cities themselves were plumbed,
supplemented with volutes. providing private water for the rich
and for baths and communal
supplies for poorer neighborhoods
entertainment
History of Architecture 1౨ৎ ⋆｡˚
♥ T he Roman Colosseum-Public Conclusion౨ৎ ⋆｡˚
spectaclesbe they gladiatorial ♥ T he Romans were brilliant
combat or theatricalwere given engineers.
public venues. ♥ Their innovations form the basis of
♥ Theaters and arenas were built to much of our civil engineering today.
hold multiple thousands of people
and were engineered so as toallow
quick and effective entry and exit.
(e.g. Amphitheater at Nimes)
♥ W orship: 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 oculus to allow light
to enter.
♥ Housing:Insula-Large apartment
buildingshoused most of the
population of a Roman city.
♥ R oad Building-The need to move
legions and trade goods in
all-weather led tothe development
of the best roads in the world(to the
19th century).
♥ P ublic Buildings:Basilica- Basilica
werefirst built to house audience
facilities for government officials.
When Christianity became the state
religion,this kind of building was
adapted to Christian worship.
♥ A large nave is flanked by side aisles
behind a row of supporting piers.
♥ AnApsedraws attention in the
direction of the altar.
