Classical Architecture of Rome

INTRODUCTION

Roman architecture continued the legacy left by the earlier architects of the Greek world.

Romans were also great innovators and they quickly adopted new construction techniques, used new materials, and uniquely combined existing techniques with creative design to produce a whole range of new architectural structures.

Although the Romans have burrowed much of the Greek style, they have used their knowledge in constructions to improve the arch and vault for the architectural community

ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION

The use of vaults and arches, together with a sound knowledge of building materials, enabled them to achieve unprecedented successes in the construction of imposing structures for public use. Example

- the Colosseum

- the Pantheon

The Roman Architectural Revolution, also known as the Concrete Revolution.

Roman architects continued to follow the guidelines established by the classical orders the Greeks had first shaped: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.

ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION

MATERIALS

The Romans used many materials to create everything from masonry pastes to walls and floorings.

Tile covered concrete quickly supplanted marble as the primary building material, and more daring buildings soon followed, with great pillars supporting broad arches and domes rather than dense lines of columns suspending flat architraves.

Romans were the first ones who created the first brick and used concrete at such large scale

MATERIALS

The materials they used is as follow- Bricks- Pozzolanic Concrete- Marble- Granite- Lime - Tin- Iron- Wood- Ceramics - Sandstone

ARCHITECTURAL BUILDINGS TYPES

The Romans focused on the following features

Mosaics

Hypocaust

Roman roof

Spiral stairs

Arches

Columns

Domes

Vaults

Basilica

ARCHES

The arches were modified greatly by the Romans so that they could carry large amount of weights

It was usually build by stones, brick or concrete

ROOFS AND FLOORS

The floor board laid over cross beams that rested upon supports from the surrounding walls.

Wooden floors were often covered with mortar so that floors could be tiled

Roofs were made of wooden trusses supported by walls then covered by tiles

COLUMNS

Columns were very important in ancient Roman architecture

It was mostly used for structural and decorative purposes

They were made in sections and then stack on top of each other

They were made from wood, stone and mortar

INFRASTRUCTURE

Roman roads were vital to the maintenance and development of the Roman state.

They provided efficient means for the overland movement of armies, officials and civilians, and the inland carriage of official communications and trade goods

At the peak of Rome's development, no fewer than 29 great military highways radiated from the capital, and the Late Empire's 113 provinces were interconnected by 372 great road links

AQUEDUCTS

The Romans constructed numerous aqueducts in order to bring water from distant sources into their cities and towns, supplying public baths, latrines, fountains and private households.

Waste water was removed by complex sewage systems and released into nearby bodies of water, keeping the towns clean and free from effluent. Aqueducts also provided water for mining operations, milling, farms and gardens.

BRIDGES

Roman bridges, built by ancient Romans, were the first large and lasting bridges built. Roman bridges were built with stone and had the arch as the basic structure. Most utilized concrete as well, which the Romans were the first to use for bridges.

AGORA AND FORUM

Forum is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.

Agora was a central spot in ancient Greek city-states. The literal meaning of the word is "gathering place" or "assembly". The agora was the center of athletic, artistic, spiritual and political life of the city. The Ancient Agora of Athens was the best-known example.

KEY STRUCTURES

Roman Colosseum

Amphitheatre used for gladiator competitions and other public events

Capacity of 87,000 people

Created by stone masonry and cut stones

Contains arches, columns, podiums and arcades

KEY STRUCTURES

Pantheon

this circular building is constructed with a grand porch three rows of columns and a dome with a centered oculus to the sky

The pantheon dome is still considered one of the largest unreinforced dome in the world

CONCLUSION

Roman architecture, then, has provided us with magnificent structures that have, quite literally, stood the test of time. By combining a wide range of materials with daring designs, the Romans were able to push the boundaries of physics and turn architecture into an art form.

The result was that architecture became an imperial tool to demonstrate to the world that Rome was culturally superior because only she had the wealth, skills, and audacity to produce such edifices. Even more significantly, the Roman use of concrete, brick, and arches twinned with building designs like the amphitheatre and basilica would immeasurably influence all following western architecture right up to the present day.