These buildings solely intended as large scale accommodation could reach several floors in height. Possibly most impressive from an urban planning point of view were the multi-story apartment blocks called insulae built to cater for a wide range of situations. Clear examples are baths and latrines which could be either public or private, not to mention developments in under-floor heating, in the form of the hypocaust, double glazing (examples in Ostia) and piped water (examples in Pompeii). On a less visible level for the modern observer, ancient Roman developments in housing and public hygiene are impressive, especially given their day and age. Their survival is testimony to the durability of their materials and design. It is in their impressive aqueducts that we see the arch triumphant, especially in the many surviving examples, such as the Pont du Gard, the aqueduct at Segovia and the remains of the Aqueducts of Rome itself. The Romans also based much of their architecture on the dome, such as Hadrian's Pantheon in the city of Rome, and the Baths of Diocletian.Īrt historians such as Gottfried Richter in the 20's identified the Roman architectural innovation as being the Triumphal Arch and it is poignant to see how this symbol of power on earth was transformed and utilized within the Christian basilicas when the Roman Empire of the West was on its last legs: The arch was set before the altar to symbolize the triumph of Christ and the after life. The Roman use of the arch together with their improvements in the use of concrete and construction of vaulted ceilings also enabled huge (covered) public spaces such as the public baths and basilicas. The same emperor left his mark on the landscape of northern Britain when he built a wall to mark the limits of the empire, and after further conquests in Scotland, the Antonine wall was built to replace Hadrian's Wall. The Pantheon is a supreme example of this, particularly in the version rebuilt by Hadrian and which still stands in its celestial glory as a prototype of several other great buildings of Western architecture. The Romans didn't feel restricted by Greek aesthetic axioms alone in order to achieve these objectives. Political propaganda demanded that these buildings should be made to impress as well as perform a public function. The Pantheon is a example of this, particularly in the version rebuilt by Hadrian, which remains perfectly preserved, and which over the centuries has served, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, as the inspiration for countless public buildings. The Romans did not feel restricted by Greek aesthetic axioms alone in order to achieve these objectives. The Ancient Romans intended that public buildings should be made to impress, as well as perform a public function. Some surviving structures are almost complete, such as the town walls of Lugo in Hispania Tarraconensis, or northern Spain. They were reproduced at smaller scale in most important towns and cities in the Empire. 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.Įxamples include the Aqueducts of Rome, the Baths of Diocletian and the Baths of Caracalla, the basilicas and Colosseum. Its span was about 207 years (27 BC to 180 AD).įactors such as wealth and high population densities in cities forced the ancient Romans to discover new (architectural) solutions of their own. Since it was established by Caesar Augustus it is sometimes called Pax Augusta. Roman architecture flourished throughout the Empire during the Pax Romana - the long period of relative peace and minimal expansion by military force experienced by the Roman Empire in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. ![]() Later they absorbed Greek and Phoenician influence, apparent in many aspects closely related to architecture for example, this can be seen in the introduction and use of the Triclinium in Roman villas as a place and manner of dining. ![]() The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics and in the construction of arches. Baths - Thermae, Baths of - Caracalla, Diocletian, TrajanĪncient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style.
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