Ancient Roman Architecture
Chris1na Acosta Arch 12 Summer 2013
Structures covered (From 19 BC to 315 AD): – – – – –
Pont du Gard (19 BC): 43.9473° N, 4.5355° E; 249 feet above sea level Colosseum (80 AD): 41.8902° N, 12.4923° E; 66 feet above sea level Hadrian’s Villa (120 AD): 41.9419° N, 12.7753° E; 223 feet above sea level Pantheon (126 AD): 41.8986° N, 12.4768°; 45 feet above sea level Arch of Constan8ne (315 AD): 41.946004° N, 12.772515° E; 72 feet above sea level
Ancient Rome Introduc1on During the first four centuries AD, the Romans constructed numerous spectacular structures that u1lized new architectural innova1ons, engineering ingenuity, improvements on prior inven1ons, new decora1ve architectural elements, and lighter, more cost-‐effec1ve, and efficient building materials. Some important developments included the dome, oculus, arch, vault, amphitheater, aqueduct, circula1on system, substructures, sewage system, and concrete. The five structures exhibit Rome’s engineering and architectural prowess between 619 BC and 315 AD. Pont du Gard was a freestanding aqueduct that u1lized numerous arches and dressed stone without mortar. The Pont du Gard allowed abundant water supplies to be transported safely and efficiently into the city. This abundant water supply, along with a complex sewage system that removed waste, helped keep ancient Rome clean and encouraged its urban expansion. The Colosseum is the world’s largest Colosseum. It provided the public exci1ng and free entertainment. It was built using a great deal of concrete, many arches, hundreds of subterranean chambers, and numerous substructures incorpora1ng a circula1on system and sanita1on system. Hadrian’s Villa was a large Roman archaeological complex that included over 30 buildings on 250 acres. It displayed Egyp1an, Greek, and Roman influences, and incorporated a magnificent blend of sculpture, architecture, and waterworks, along with a network of underground tunnels. Much of the villa was built using concrete and included a wide variety of architectural developments such as the dome, arch, and oculus. The Pantheon is a true architectural marvel that incorporated a large unsupported dome. The dome was made possible by the use of a large oculus, varying concrete mixtures used on the different levels of the walls and ceiling, and a light coffered ceiling. These combined elements made this magnificent structure possible. The Arch of Constan1ne was a spectacular and important triumphal arch. The Arch of Constan1ne was created in honor of Constan1ne’s victory over Maxen1us, which led to the emperor conver1ng to Chris1anity and the Chris1ans being allowed to freely worship without prosecu1on. This event forever changed the poli1cal and cultural landscape of the Roman Empire and the Western world today.
Pont du Gard Architect: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the son-‐in-‐law of Augustus. Year completed: Originally, 19 BC Original use: The top 1er supported an aqueduct that carried water to Nimes in ancient Rome; while the lower 1er supported a road that went across the Gardon River. Current use: Historic monument
Pont du Gard
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It is a four story, free standing structure whose lower 1er carried a road across the Gardon River. Pont du Gard was the highest of all Roman aqueducts. It u1lized 80 arches. The arch was an important Roman development and can be seen in much ancient Roman architecture. Arches were used in many future aqueducts in ancient Rome.
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The upper 1er supported an aqueduct which allowed abundant water supplies to flow into the city to meet the public’s extravagant water demands.
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Pont du Gard allowed the urban expansion of Nimes due to a more accessible water source, which eliminated the city’s reliance on local water sources. Reduc1on of disease problems also helped the Roman Empire to grow and prosper. In addi1on, complex sewage systems removed waste water, which kept the towns clean.
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Pont du Gard was built using dressed stone without mortar. In many years to come, other Roman ci1es would emulate it to meet the increasing water requirements by the Roman public.
Colosseum Architect: Unknown; completed by Domi1an. Year completed: ca 80 AD Original use: Roman ci1zens and slaves viewed public spectacles and enjoyed entertainment venues in the Colosseum, such as gladiatorial combat, beast fights, and mock sea bagles. Current use: An historical monument.
The Colosseum
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The Colosseum is one of the greatest examples of Roman architecture and engineering and was the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. It created great pride among the ancient Romans. The amphitheater was a Roman inven1on. The Colosseum u1lized many amazing Roman inven1ons such as arches, arcades, vaults, and concrete. Arches were popular in Roman architecture and concrete made buildings lighter and easier to construct, and enabled the development of more sophis1cated structures and decora1ons. The massive Colloseum was a symbol of the Roman Empire’s might, wealth, and power. Emperors spent vast sums on places of leisure to placate the vola1le public. A variety of exci1ng entertainment venues were provided to the public for free. The Colosseum used an elaborate maze of hundreds of subterranean chambers and passageways to accommodate the wild beasts and various services. Also, the Colosseum had numerous substructures, which housed and allowed the opera1on of an efficient circula1on system and sanita1on system.
Hadrian’s Villa Architect: Unknown architect for Hadrian Year completed: 120 AD Original use: Originally constructed at Tibur (now Tivoli) as a country retreat for Emperor Hadrian, it is an incredible blend of sculpture, architecture, and waterworks. It was a large Roman archaeological complex of over 30 buildings covering 250 acres. A large Roman court lived there permanently Current use: UNESCO World Heritage Site and open air museum.
Hadrian’s Villa
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The villa u1lizes numerous architectural styles and innova1ons, and favored the use of curves and counter-‐curves. It included a wide variety of structures like a palace, theatre, basilica, gardens, bathhouses, libraries, pools, statues, and living quarters. The complex has a network of underground tunnels, which allowed the transport of servants and goods. This use of massive underground tunnels is seen in other Roman structures like the Colosseum. Hadrian’s Villa is considered an architectural masterpiece that was heavily influenced by Egypt and Greece. The Mediterranean cultural influence further con1nued in Roman architecture. The villa displayed new and interes1ng forms and structures, and offered spectacular vistas. It incorporated concrete, domes, arches, subterranean systems, etc. These features were used in future Roman buildings.
The Pantheon Architect: Apollodorus of Damascus Date completed: 126 AD Original use: This was created as a temple for all gods. Current use: The Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic church in 609 AD. It is a na1onal monument and museum and is considered one of the world’s greatest buildings and masterpieces of architecture and engineering.
The Pantheon
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The oculus was the only source of light for the building. The oculus was used in other Roman buildings, such as Hadrian’s Villa. Oculuses were ohen used in public baths to release steam out of the buildings. The Pantheon consisted of a large circular drum with a hemispherical dome on top, an unusual feature for such a massive structure. The Pantheon was both an engineering and ar1s1c marvel and a great source of pride for the Romans. The dome was used in future ancient Roman architecture.
3. The use of vaults and arches, together with a strong knowledge of building materials and engineering genius, enabled the Romans to achieve unprecedented success in building the Pantheon, and later in building other spectacular public structures. 4. Different mixtures of concrete were used to construct the walls and ceiling of the Pantheon. Engineering precision, use of different types of concrete, coffers, and a large oculus contributed to the ability of the Pantheon to support its dome without reinforcement. Cement became a popular building material in Roman 1mes due to its lightness, versa1lity, durability, and cost-‐effec1veness.
Arch of Constan1ne Architect: Unknown Year completed: 315 AD Original use: It was erected in honor of a victory by Constan1ne against Maxen1us. Current use: It is a historic monument that is considered one of the last great Roman monuments. It sits between the Colosseum and Pala1ne Hill and is the largest of three similar Roman arches to survive today. A projec1on screen is ohen hung from the arch to allow the viewing of films and videos by visitors.
Arch of Constan1ne
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It is an example of a truly awe-‐inspiring structure, which was a source of pride for the ancient Romans. The arch commemorates an important event in 312 AD in which Constan1ne was victorious over Maxen1us at the Bagle of Milvian Bridge. It incorporates statues, friezes, and other pieces from various Roman monuments from the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, and Constan1ne. The inclusion of por1ons of an older structures was some1mes used in newer ancient Roman structures. Constan1ne’s victory led to his conversion to Chris1anity. Once Constan1ne became Chris1an, the Chris1ans were allowed to worship and were no longer persecuted. This was a triumphal arch, which was a Roman architectural innova1on. In ancient Rome, large arches were at 1mes constructed to commemorate a victorious ruler aher an important bagle. Prior triumphal arches were erected in ancient Rome.