Roman and Etruscan Architecture Study Guide

Etruscan Civilization

Indigenous civilization in Etruria (c. 900-600 BCE) preceding the Romans.

Roman Kingdom

Period from 753 to 509 BCE ruled by kings, beginning with Romulus and Remus.

Roman Republic

Period from 509 to 27 BCE governed by elected leaders; marked by expansion and concrete architecture.

Roman Empire

Period starting in 27 BCE with Augustus, characterized by vast territorial expansion and monumental architecture.

Tomb of the Shields and Chairs

Elaborate elite rock-cut tombs carved in Cerveteri to resemble domestic homes with stone furniture.

Tomb of the Leopards

Etruscan tomb in Tarquinia famous for its well-preserved Archaic frescoes depicting banqueting scenes.

Etruscan Temple of Minerva

Veii temple featuring a high podium, deep prostyle porch, terra-cotta superstructure, and triple-cella layout.

The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)

Elliptical arcuated structure seating up to 50,000, featuring a hypogeum and a retractable velarium.

The Pantheon

Building commissioned by Hadrian combining a traditional Corinthian portico with a massive concrete dome and oculus.

Baths of Caracalla

Massive public bathing complex featuring frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium, and an under-floor hypocaust.

Tufa

Soft, easily carved volcanic rock prevalent across Italy, widely used by Etruscans for rock-cut tombs.

Roman Concrete (Opus Caementicium)

Mixture of mortar, aggregate, and pozzolana volcanic ash allowing Romans to mold massive vaults and domes.

Hypocaust

Advanced Roman subterranean heating system sending hot air through hollow floor pillars and wall tiles.

Castrum

Rectangular or square Roman military camp and fortification organized on a strict grid pattern.

Cardus Maximus

The primary north-south street running through a Roman town or castrum.

Decumanus Maximus

The primary east-west street running through a Roman town or castrum.

Insulae

Multi-storied Roman apartment tenement blocks for lower and middle classes with ground-floor shops.

Cloaca Maxima

Main sewer system of ancient Roman cities.

Tuscan Order

Etruscan-influenced Doric variation with an unfluted shaft, Ionic-style base, and unadorned capital.

Composite Order

Late Roman hybrid column order combining Ionic volutes with Corinthian acanthus leaves.

Domus

Traditional, inward-facing Roman single-family urban residence built around an axial layout.

Atrium

Central, open-air hall of a Roman house serving as a public greeting and reception area.

Compluvium

Rectangular opening in the center of the atrium roof allowing light, air, and rainwater to enter.

Impluvium

Sunken marble basin set into the atrium floor directly beneath the compluvium to catch rainwater.

Peristyle

Colonnaded open garden courtyard added to the rear of Hellenized Roman houses.

Apodyterium

Disrobing or changing room in a Roman bath complex.

Tepidarium

Moderately warm or warm-water transition room in a Roman bath.

Caldarium

Hot-water bathing room or steam room positioned closest to the furnace.

Frigidarium

Unheated, cool-water room used to close out the bathing ritual.

Hypogeum

Multi-level network of subterranean tunnels and chambers beneath the arena floor to house gladiators and animals.

Velarium

Massive retractable canvas awning system operated by sailors to shade spectators.

Oculus

30-foot wide circular opening at the apex of the Pantheon's dome serving as its sole natural light source.

Coffers

Symmetrical recessed square panels carved into the inner dome ceiling to lighten structural load and enhance aesthetics.

Pseudoperipteral

Temple design where side cella walls extend outward, leaving only engaged half-columns attached to exterior walls.