ROMAN
ARCHITECTURE
Introduction
• Roman architecture has had a lasting impact on western civilisation
• Romans used their architecture as an expression of their power and and glory.
• The roman borrowed heavily from the greeks in terms of architecture. This is noticed in their use
of marble and construction of extensive structures such as amphitheatres. However, they invented
the use of concrete which enabled them to build even more extensive structures than the greeks.
• In terms of engineering, they were greatly influenced by the Etruscans as evidenced in dome
architecture
• Romans were very good and constructions and they developed a several systems which were
installed in their different cities in Europe, Asia and North Africa.
Roman Cities
• They adopted the layout of Roman camps (castra,
pl. castrum)
• The cities were based on the grid organisation.
• Every city was designated the decumani (east –
west oriented roads) and Cardines ( north – south
oriented roads).
• The Decumanus Maximus and the Cardo Maximus
were the principal streets and they intersected at or
close to the Forum, around which the most
important public buildings were sited.
Basic layout of a Roman City
The Forum ( Fora)
• The Forum is associated with Greek Agora.
• It is an open space used as meeting place, marketing and political reasons.
• The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) is the most important one since it includes many
other Fora.
• At first, the Forum essentially served as a marketplace for day-to-day shopping. Over time,
it became much more versatile and functional, as public affairs were held in the area.
• The Forum gradually developed, progressed and expanded over many centuries. Statues,
arches, basilicas and other buildings were constructed to accommodate the gatherings.
• Many other Roman cities included Fora like Pompeii and Damascus.
• The Forum was considered the heart of Rome. While there were
many other forums in ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was the
most significant.
• It was a multi-purpose site that accommodated various
functions. Events taking place in the Forum included:
Elections
Public speeches
Criminal trials
Gladiator matches (before the Colosseum was built)
Social gatherings
Business dealings
Public meetings
Religious ceremonies
Educational events
Buying, selling and trading of items
Temples
• The term temple comes from the Latin templum, which means “delimited space”. Romans regarded temples
as sacred and holy places and were therefore a fundamental part of the ancient roman religion.
• They temples were considered to be the homes of the gods. Each temple contained a statue of the god to
whom it was dedicated. This statue was usually on top of a heavy foundation and surrounded by colonnades.
• Inside was sacred and with often just enough space for a sacrificial altar or a brazier for divine fire. Temples
were conceived to be beautiful and imposing outside and everyone was denied access.
• A flight of odd-numbered steps led to the entrance of the temple.
• Only priests serving the gods were allowed inside the temples. Worshippers had to stay outside. The temple
had an altar table outside for sacrifices, gifts , and offerings.
• Often temples had adjoining buildings that were used as sanctuaries.
• Every city contained atleast one temple.
The Pantheon
• The Pantheon for the first time, introduced the idea of a place of worship
open to everyone, where the faithful could spiritually communicate with
the Gods.
• To enter, we cross the pronaos with its imposing granite column forest.
There are sixteen, corinthian columns, more than 14 metres high. The
Bronze door at the end of the columns is just as impressive in size, 7
metres high.
• On entering the door, the effect one feels is meant to be overwhelming.
You suddenly find yourself in this huge empty space which makes you
feel tiny. This is to reflect how one is supposed to feel in front of the
Gods.
• The space is a perfect sphere symbolizing the vault of heaven; the height
of the dome is the same as its diameter creating perfect balance and
unique harmony; it is round so as to place all Gods at the same level of
importance.
• Placed in seven splendid niches between two Corinthian columns, there used to be the seven gods linked to the
worship of planets, or considered to be such: the Sun, the Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars.
• The Pantheon’s greatness mainly comes from its mighty dome. This dome was built with a single casting of
concrete in subsequent layers. The concrete was lightened by mixing it with lighter stones as it neared the
highest point. Initially mixing the concrete with heavy travertine stone, going upwards using progressively
lighter materials; like tuffo stone. The top layer was made with pumice, a light-weight stone
• At the centre of the dome, there is a 9 metre diameter hole, the Oculus. The Pantheon has no windows and the
only light penetrates from above. Towards midday, the rays coming through the Oculus are particularly intense.
• The belief that the Oculus was built so that the rain could not get in is not true, when it rains, it also rains in
the Pantheon; the floor is slightly convex so the water flows away thanks to an effective drainage system.
Diagram summarising information on the
Pantheon
The Temple of Vesta
• Temple of Vesta is one of the
important circular temples.
• It was situated in the Roman
Forum.
The temple of Mars
