Roman Architecture
Brenda Gitonga
Jeffrey Kareri
Faith Mbithe
Philip Wanjeri
Brief History
Introduction
Continued the Greek legacy
Had great respect for their culture and tradition,
especially that of the Corinthians
Were great innovators thus quickly adopted new
construction techniques and used new materials by
uniquely combining the exiting techniques
Resulting to construction of new building such as the
basilicas
amphitheatres
baths
forums
Reasons for the Success of
Roman Architecture
Their innovations were a response to the practical needs
of the Romans
triumphal arches - for celebrating victories
baths and villas - for the luxury of the rich
forums - situated where people met (surrounded by temples,
law courts) and acted as assembly points to solve and discuss
people’s issues
They were funded by the state apparatus
They were spread through out the roman empire. This
ensured their permanency up to date
Labour and building materials were readily available (from
the large population; limestone from the sea for making
mortar)
Had accessible rivers which enhanced transport and
enabled easy access to the sea.
Good natural defense (the surrounding hills) ensured their
security thus enabled them to concentrate on building
The Augustan Period
Augustus ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD
This is the period that saw many innovations and a surge
in building activities. It was characterized by:
innovation in design
extravagant use in marble
bigger and more impressive buildings
invention of concrete
He built the Temple of Caesar, the Baths of Agrippa, and
the Forum of Augustus with its Temple of Mars Ultor.
Roman Classical Orders
The Romans adapted all the Greek orders and also developed two
orders of their own, basically modification of Greek orders. The
Romans also invented the superposed order. A superposed order is
when successive stories of a building have different orders. The
heaviest orders were at the bottom, whilst the lightest came at the
top. This means that the Doric order was the order of the ground
floor, the Ionic order was used for the middle story, while the
Corinthian or the Composite order was used for the top story.
The Colossal order was invented by architects in the Renaissance. The
Colossal order is characterized by columns that extend the height of
two or more stories.
The three Classical/Canonic Orders
Doric Ionic Corinthian
Tuscan order
The Tuscan order has a very plain design, with a plain shaft, and a
simple capital, base, and frieze. It is a simplified adaptation of the
Doric order by the Romans. The Tuscan order is characterized by an
unfluted shaft and a capital that only consists of an echinus and an
abacus. In proportions it is similar to the Doric order, but overall it is
significantly plainer. The column is normally seven diameters high.
Compared to the other orders, the Tuscan order looks the most solid.
Composite order
The Composite order is a mixed order, combining the volutes of the
Ionic with the leaves of the Corinthian order. Until the Renaissance it
was not ranked as a separate order. Instead it was considered as a
late Roman form of the Corinthian order. The column of the
Composite order is ten diameters high.
Influence of Roman Architecture in
Today’s World
Use of concrete in building
Use of columns (e.g. in State House, White House)
Designing of stadia (e.g. the Foro Italico)
Use of marble and limestone in decoration
State House White House
Cultural Aspects
Religion
Romans thought themselves as highly religious and
attributed their success as a world power to their collective
piety in maintaining good relations with their god
Religious leaders were like the priests and angurs
After punic war new temples were built
Their religion was practical and based on principles and was
part of their social order.
Roman’s calendar was structured around religious
observance.
Sports & Entertainment
There were different types of outdoor and indoors
entertainment scheduled at different times depending on
the nature of events.
Was free of cost
Examples:
Gladiatorial combat
Took place in the Colosseum
Gladiators fought to death or to ‘first blood’
Gladiators were slaves or criminals paying for their crimes
Peaked during the 2nd century, and declined during the 5th,
after the adoption of Christianity
Horse and chariot racing
Dice,board (chess & checkers) and gamble games were
popular pastimes. Women did not participate.
Social Culture
The tribal city state of their social culture was the family
Slavery was part of the social order. The slaves were called the
prisoners of war. They were considered as any movable property.
Life in the ancient Roman cities revolved around the forum, the
central business district where they would go for marketing,
shopping, trading and other business activities and festivities.
This was also the place where the orators would express
themselves to mound public opinion and elicit support.
There was a day schedule which was followed by all; the
children and the elders.
Clothing
The cloth and dress distinguished one class of people from
the other class.
PLEBEIANS - wore the tunics (coarse and dark material)
PATRICIANS (linen/white wool and red/orange sandals)
MAGISTRATE (tunica angustidavi)
SENATORS (purple stripes and brown
sandals)
Footwear indicated ones social status
MEN (toga)
WOMEN (stola)worn over the tunics
Language
Native language was Latin
The language evolved and eventually became the Roman
language
There were several forms of Latin; Silver Age was the most
popular
Food
They did simple food habit like bread, salad, cheese, nuts,
cold meat and the likes.
Meals were given special names
Breakfast - ientaculum
Lunch - prandium
Dinner - cena
Appetizer - qustatio
Dessert - secuds mensa
They sat on stools around the table
Food was taken by fingers; spoons were used for taking
soups
Wine was considered a staple drink and was always mixed
with water.
Vegetable, porridge and bread was the staple food for the
lower class
Education
Began at the age of 6-7
Children learnt the basics of reading writing and counting
At the age of 12 they would learn Latin, Greek grammar
and literature followed by public speaking and oratory
Built Forms & Typologies
Introduction
They developed different aspects of Ancient Greek
architecture
They used new technology i.e. arches, domes and vaults
to develop their style
Amphitheatres
Inspired by the Greek version but the orchestra was made
semi-circular and the whole made of stone.
The Roman theatre was shaped with a half circle or
orchestra space in front of the stage.
Most often the audience sat here in comfortable chairs.
Occasionally, however, the actors would perform in this
space.
To solve the problem of lighting and sound - the theaters
were outdoors.
Theatres also display the Roman passion for enclosing
spaces, especially as they were often roofed in wood or
employed canvas awning
The Romans built theaters anywhere, even on flat plains,
by raising the whole structure off the ground.
As a result, the whole structure was more integrated and
entrances/exits could be built into the cave, as is done in
large theaters and sports arenas today.
Pula Arena
Amphitheatre of Pompeii
Arles Arena
Amphitheatres (cont.)
The Roman Colosseum
It is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of
Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire.
The building was constructed by emperors of the Flavian
dynasty, hence its original name: Amphitheatrum Flavium
It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and
engineering.
It occupies a site just East of the Roman Forum
Its construction started between 70 and 72 AD under the
Emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under
Titus, with further modifications being made during
Domitian's reign.
Original capacity was 50,000 spectators
The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and
public spectacles (such as mock sea battles, animal hunts,
executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas
based on Classical mythology)
It remained in use for nearly 500 years with the last
recorded games being held there as late as the 6th
century.
The building eventually ceased to be used for
entertainment in the early medieval era and was later
reused for varied purposes such as housing, workshops,
quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry and a
Christian shrine
Currently it is in a ruined condition due to damage caused
by earthquakes and stone-robbers
It had long been seen as an iconic symbol of Imperial
Rome.
Today it is one of modern Rome’s most popular tourist
attractions and still has connections with the Roman
Catholic Church
The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of
the five-cent euro coin.
Unlike the earlier amphitheaters (built into hillsides), the
Colosseum is an entirely free-standing structure.
The north side of the perimeter wall is still standing; the
distinctive triangular brick wedges at each end are
modern additions, having been constructed in the early
19th century to shore up the wall.
Most of the remainder of the present-day exterior of the
Colosseum is in fact the original interior wall.
The surviving part of the outer wall's monumental façade
comprises three stories of superimposed arcades
surmounted by a podium on which stands a tall attic, both
of which are pierced by windows interspersed at regular
intervals.
Each of the arches in the second- and third-floor arcades
framed statues, probably honoring divinities and other
figures from Classical mythology.
The outer wall was built using travertine stone, which
were set without mortar, held together by iron clamps.
Two hundred and forty mast corbels were positioned
around the top of the attic.
They originally supported a retractable awning, known as
the velarium, that kept the sun and rain off spectators.
This consisted of a canvas-covered,
net-like structure made of ropes,
with a hole in the center.
It covered two-thirds of the arena,
and sloped down towards the
center to catch the wind and
provide a breeze for the audience.
The Colosseum's huge crowd capacity made it essential
that the venue could be filled or evacuated quickly.
Its architects adopted solutions very similar to those used
in modern stadiums to deal with the same problem.
The Amphitheatre was ringed by 80 entrances at ground
level, 76 of which were used by ordinary spectators.
Each entrance and exit was numbered, as was each
staircase.
The northern main entrance was reserved for the Roman
Emperor and his aides, whilst the other three axial
entrances were most likely used by the elite.
All four axial entrances were richly decorated with
painted stucco reliefs, of which fragments survive.
Many of the original outer entrances have disappeared
with the collapse of the perimeter wall.
Triumphal Arches
A triumphal arch is a monumental structure in the shape
of an archway with one or more arched passageways,
often designed to span a road.
Used to commemorate victorious generals or significant
public events such as the founding of new colonies, the
construction of a road or bridge, the death of a member
of the imperial family or the accession of a new emperor.
Examples: Arch of Constantine, Arch of Titus
Arch of Constantine
Arch of Titus
Aqueducts & Bridges
They were designed to carry fresh water to the urban
centers from the sources sometimes many kilometers
away
They were used to supply public baths, latrines, fountains
and private households
They also provided water for mining operations, milling,
farms and gardens
Aqueducts moved water using gravity hence had to be
constructed along a slight downward gradient within
conduits of stone, brick or concrete
Most were built underground and followed its contours;
obstructing peaks were circumvented or tunneled through
Alcántara Bridge
Aqueduct of Segovia
Pons Fabricius
Valens Aqueduct
Basilicas
Romans built basilicas as a place for a large gathering with
most use of law courts
They were later used as Christian churches
In architecture, the Roman basilica was a large roofed hall
erected for transacting business and disposing of legal
matters.
Such buildings usually contained interior colonnades that
divided the space, giving aisles or arcaded spaces at one
or both sides, with an apse at one end (or less often at
each end), where the magistrates sat, often on a slightly
raised dais.
The central aisle tended to be wide and was higher than
the flanking aisles, so that light could penetrate through
the clerestory windows.
The oldest known basilica, the Basilica Porcia, was built in
Rome in 184 BC by Cato the Elder during the time he was
censor. Other early examples include the basilica at
Pompeii and the several basilicas at lepois Magna.
Basilica of Maxentius
Forum
The Imperial Fora (Fori Imperiali in Italian) consist of a
series of monumental fora (public squares), constructed in
Rome over a period of one and half centuries, between 46
BC and 113 AD. The forums were the center of the Roman
Republic and of the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar was the first to build in this section of Rome
and rearranged both the Forum and the Comitium,
another forum type space designated for politics, to do so.
These forums were the centres of politics, religion and
economy in the ancient Roman Empire.
Baths
Bathing played a major part in ancient Roman culture and
society.
Bathing was one of the most common daily activities in
Roman culture, and was practiced across a wide variety of
social classes.
Though many contemporary cultures see bathing as a very
private activity conducted in the home, bathing in Rome
was a communal activity.
Roman baths display a typical Roman ability for creating
breath-taking interior space using arches, dorms, vaults
and buttresses
The bathhouse usually had three entrances: one for men,
one for women, and one for slaves.
These Roman baths varied from simple to exceedingly
elaborate structures, and they varied in size,
arrangement, and decoration.
Baths of Caracalla Baths of Diocletian
Domes – The Pantheon
Pantheon means “all of the gods” and the building’s roof
represented the dome of the sky, where Romans believed
the gods resided
Originally built as a temple but has been a Christian
church since the 7th century.
It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings and also the
oldest building in the world with its original roof intact
It has been in continuous use throughout history
The original Pantheon was built in 27-25 BC under the
Roman Empire during the third consulship of Marcus
Vipsanius Agrippa
It was built with adjoining baths and water gardens
It was destroyed by fire in 80 AD and the Pantheon was
completely rebuilt in about 125 AD during the reign of the
emperor Hadrian, as date-stamps on the bricks reveal.
Pantheon
The building is circular with a portico of three ranks of
huge granite Corinthian columns
A rectangular structure links the portico with the rotunda
The large bronze doors to the cellar, once plated with gold
still remain though the gold has vanished
The height of the oculus and the diameter of the interior
circle are the same
The interior of the roof is intended to symbolize the
heavens.
The Great Eye (at the dome apex) is the source of light
and is symbolic of the sun.
Today most city halls, universities and public universities
echo its portico and dome structure
Natural Light
Temples
The Roman temples were a combination of Etruscan and
Greek models with an inner cellar at rear of the building
surrounded by columns and placed on a raised platform.
Example: the temples of Venus at Baalbek
Libraries
Julius Caesar had projected a grand Greek and Latin style
library, but he was killed before the project got underway.
The first public library in Rome was finally founded by
Asinius Pollio.
From the spoils of the war he constructed and erected the
library in the Atrium Libertatis, which he adorned with
statues of the most celebrated heroes as well as other
famous works of art all open to the public.
The library had Greek and Latin wings, and reportedly its
establishment posthumously fulfilled one of Caesar's
ambitions. Other examples include:
Augustus in the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill
TheBibliotheca Octaviana (so called from Augustus's sister
Octavia)
Private Homes
The elite classes of Roman society constructed their
residences with elaborate marble decorations, inlaid
marble paneling, door jambs and columns as well as
expensive paintings and frescoes and stucco. (e.g. the
house of the Vetti at Pompeii)
Many poor and lower middle class Romans lived in
crowded, dirty and mostly rundown rental apartments,
known as insulae
These multi-level apartment blocks were built as high and
tightly together as possible and held far less status and
convenience than the private homes of the prosperous
They were constructed using bricks, concrete and wood
Roads
Roman roads enabled the Romans to
move armies and trade goods and to
communicate.
The Romans became adept at
constructing roads, which they called
viae.
They were intended for carrying
material from one location to another.
It was permitted to walk or pass and
drive cattle, vehicles, or traffic of any
description along the path.
Their roads formed intersecting streets
Decumanus was an east-west-oriented road in a Roman
city
Cardo is one that runs
from North to South
Many cities and towns
used this plan in their
design
Walls
Most walls were majorly covered by stucco for protection
against heat and rain for the outside and to provide a
smooth surface for fine decorative wall painting on the
inside.
They also were built using tiled brick and concrete
They majorly served a purpose of defense and this is why
they were high
Example: Hadrian’s walls, Aurelian walls
Aesthetics, Decorations & Materials
Concrete
Invention of concrete in the 2nd century BC
Replaced cut stones as the primary construction material
Enabled architects to cover vast interior spaces with vaults,
without interior supports
Brick
Became popular as a facing for concrete walls
Marble & Porphyry
Were used for more luxurious finishing of exterior and interior
walls
Stucco
Was used as a finishing of important buildings so as to give them a
presentable façade
Visual Art
Included wall paintings and sculptures
Used to decorate interiors of tombs and buildings (such as the
baths and basilicas)
