ARCHITECTURE
Ancient Roman architecture was inspired by the guiding principles the Greeks first shaped. The ancient Romans also took inspiration from the Etruscans, who provided them with the knowledge to understand key architectural solutions. The Romans incorporated their own concepts to the Greek and Etruscan order to create their own style. This resulted in a durable, convenient and beautiful architectural style.
Materials & Techniques The ancient Romans typically used marble in their architecture. The most frequently used marble from Italy was Carrara marble sourced from Tuscany. Marble was also made available from across the Empire; especially the Parian marble of Paros and the Pentelic marble from Athens. Coloured marble was also favoured by Roman architects. For example, Numidian (yellow) marble could be found in North Africa, Phrygian (purple) marble from central Turkey, Porphyry (red) marble from Egypt and Carystian (green) marble from Euboea. Travertine limestone was also used by Roman architects. Its tendency to create precise carvings and its strength made it useful among the Romans. It was mainly used for paving, doors, window frames and steps. Sun-dried mud bricks had been used for centuries by ancient Roman architects for smaller buildings. They were durable and could be carved just like stone. Uncut bricks were used in roofing and drains, however most were cut into triangles. Circular bricks were used for the construction of columns. Key Roman Buildings Aqueducts Aqueducts were great structures used to carry fresh water to urban centres, often from sources many kilometres away. Aqua Appia (completed 312 BC) was the first Roman aqueduct and was an important water source for many Roman citizens. Basilicas Basilicas were large gathering places with most being used as law courts. Eventually, the style was adopted by the Christian Church. They were typically built adjacent to one side of the forum, the city’s market place. Baths Baths showcased the architectural ability of the ancient Romans. They were a place of gathering and contained pools, cold and hot rooms, fountains, libraries, under-floor heating and inter-wall heating through terracotta piping. Their exteriors were usually plain, but within they were lavish and displayed all major Roman styles, including arches, domes and vaults. One of the finest examples of a bath is the Baths of Caracalla in Rome (completed 216 AD). Temples Ancient Roman temples were a combination of Etruscan and Greek ones. Temples had an inner cella (a place containing images and statues of idols) at the rear of the building surrounded by columns and placed on a raised platform. Temples were typically rectangular but could also be circular or polygonal. Theatres & Amphitheatres Theatres were highly decorative stage buildings that used different levels of columns and projections. Theatres were enclosed spaces that were roofed or covered in canvas awnings. Amphitheatres were fully closed buildings that were also highly decorative. There were underground networks of rooms below the arena floor to hide people, animals and props. Amphitheatrum Flavium, the Colosseum, (completed 80 AD) was the largest and most famous amphitheatre. Triumphal Arches Triumphal arches were single, double, or triple columned structures that had no practical function other than to commemorate significant events. The Arch of Constantine (completed c.315 AD) in Rome is the largest surviving triumphal arch and regarded as the last great monument of Imperial Rome. |