Roman emperors were constantly building and rebuilding their
cities of their empire. As long as there was money to do so, the
emperors had baths, circuses, forums, and amphitheaters for the
enjoyment of the people. By providing these enjoyments the emperor
hoped to maintain popularity.
Slide 3
Baths were among the most popular public buildings. Baths =
vast enclosed structures that contained libraries, lecture rooms,
gymnasiums, shops, restaurants, and pleasant walkways. These
features made the baths a social and cultural center as well as a
place for hygiene. In many ways they are like the shopping center
of today.
Slide 4
Most famous bath built by the emperor Caracalla. Sprawled over
30 acres and included a bath house that measured 750 ft x 380 ft. A
huge central hall was spanned with concrete groin vaults.
Slide 5
Groin Vault = formed when two barrel vaults meets at right
angle Allowed builders to cover a very large area. Allowed the
placement of windows which barrel vaults could not allow.
Slide 6
Although Romans enjoyed many kinds of sports but chariot races
were easily the favorite. As many as 150,000 people would attend
chariot races held at the Circus Maximus. Circus Maximus, Rome
Slide 7
Almost as popular as the chariot races were the armed contests.
Covers over 6 acres It lays in ruins because past rulers carried
off stone from the building to construct new buildings. The three
different styles of columns can be seen on each of the levels.
Slide 8
80 arched opening allow visitors to enter and exit the
Colosseum so efficiently that it could be emptied in minutes. Once
could accommodate 50,000 people Beneath the floors of the Colosseum
were compartments and passages serving as a place to cage the
animals, barracks for gladiators, rooms to house machinery used to
raise and lower the stage sets and performers.
Slide 9
Romans revived the Etruscan spectacle in which slaves were
pitted against each other in the battle to the death in front of
hundreds of spectators. Not all Romans approved of the battles but
they were so popular that they feared to say anything. As many as
5,000 pairs of gladiators would fight and up to 11,000 animals
would be killed each day.
Slide 10
Roman emperors had great community pride, and in addition to
providing buildings of leisure, they built public squares and civic
centers. Magnificent structures were built including meeting halls,
temples to the Roman gods, markets, and basilicas. Architects and
engineers combined their talents to erect huge buildings that were
not only structurally sound but also beautifully designed.
Slide 11
Designed as a temple dedicated to all of the Roman gods but
later converted to a Christian church. The building has been in
continuous use since it would built. Made of brick and concrete the
dome rises 144 feet above the floor. The diameter is also 144
feet.
Slide 12
The inside is divided in to three sections. First the lowest
has 7 niches that contain statues or alters dedicated to the Roman
gods of the heavens. Niche = recesses in the wall Second contains
the 12 signs of the Zodiac Third the dome represents the heavens
and is covered in coffers which supply decoration but also lessen
the weight of the dome. Coffers = indented panels
Slide 13
The interior is well illuminated although there are no windows
Walls up to 20 feet thick are needed to support the massive dome. A
30 ft opening allows sunlight to light the interior of the dome. To
solve the problem that rain posed, the floor is slightly raised
allowing water to run down a drain in the middle of the floor.
Slide 14
Basilica = a spacious, rectangular building made to hold a
large number of people, built by the Romans Combined many of the
architectural advances that the Romans had made. They served as
models for generations of Christian church builders. St. Peters
Basilica, Rome Italy
Slide 15
Rows of slender columns divide the space in to what is called
the nave. Nave = a long, wide center aisle The roof over the center
isle is usually taller to allow for the addition of windows to let
in light
Slide 16
Romans loved celebrations and often marked military victories
by building a monument to the victory triumphal arch = a heavily
decorated arch The Arch of Constantine is the most famous of these
arches. The important generals and officers would walk through the
middle arch while foot solders would march through the smaller side
arches.
Slide 17
Baths = vast enclosed structures that contained libraries,
lecture rooms, gymnasiums, shops, restaurants, and pleasant
walkways Groin Vault = formed when two barrel vaults meets at right
angles Nave = a long, wide center aisle Triumphal Arch = a heavily
decorated arch
Slide 18
The Baths of Caracalla The Pantheon (Interior and Exterior)
Floor Plan of a Basilica The Colleseum The Circus Maximus The Arch
of Constantine