4-Roman-Architecture

ARCH 19

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

GLOSSARY

POZZOLANA A material composed of hydrated lime, aggregates and volcanic sand; poured in between two stone walls of stone or brick

CENTURIAE Squares of 728 meters meant to be divided into 100 lots; used in conquering and settling areas; forum, basilica and temple were then sited

TUSCAN ORDER Simplified version of Doric order; 7 diameters high; base, unfluted shaft, simple capital, plain entablature

COMPOSITE ORDER Combines volutes of Ionic order with acanthus leaves of Corinthian order; unfluted shaft

BARREL VAULT Formed by a series of arches

CROSS VAULT Formed by intersecting two barrel vaults; also called a GROIN VAULT

DOME Hemispherical vault resting on a circular base wall

OPUS INCERTUM Wall with small stones and loose patterns

OPUS QUADRATUM Wall with rectangular blocks, with or without mortar joints

OPUS RETICULATUM Wall with net-like effect, with fine joints running diagonally

AQUEDUCTS Water supply system used to channel water from a far-off source to Roman cities

VIA Road system used throughout the Roman Empire

ARCHES A curved structure for spanning an opening. There are three types: (1) those forming part of protective wall circuit; (2) ornamental portals to forums, marketplaces, other large enclosures; (3) arches built at intersections of main colonnaded streets

FORUM Central open area in which commerce and administration of justice took place in the surrounding buildings

BASILICA Meeting place for Roman citizens, exchange for merchants and court of justice

THERMAE Public bath; major building type for socialization; activities included exercise and swimming

TEPIDARIUM Warm water area

FRIGIDARIUM Cold water area

CALIDARIUM Hot water area

LACONICUM Steam room; also called a SUDATORIUM

APODYTERIUM Changing room

UNCTUARIUM Oil room; also called an ALIPTERION

PALAESTRA Exercise area

HYPOCAUST Heating system

AMPHITHEATER Circular theater used for spectator sports; has underground chambers for equipment, gladiators, animals, etc.

CIRCUS For horse and chariot races, equestrian shows, staged battles and performances of trained animals, jugglers and acrobats

DOMUS Single-detached residential structure

ATRIUM Apartment in a Roman house, forming an entrance hall or court, with the roof open to the sky in the center

COMPLUVIUM A quadrangular opening in the atrium towards which the roof sloped so as to throw rain water into a shallow cistern (IMPLUVIUM) in the floor

PROTHYRUM A porch or vestibule in front of the door of the house

TABLINUM A study; contained family records and family statues situated at the end of the atrium farthest from the main entrance

FAUCES The passageway from the street to the atrium

TRICLINIUM A dining room with couches on three sides

CUBICULUM A bedroom, but sometimes used in a less specific sense to denote other rooms

OECUS The main room; the successor of the MEGARON

CULINA The kitchen

INSULAE Apartment houses for plebeians; the ground floor was used as TABERNAS (single room shops) while upper floors sometimes had running water, lavatories and toilets

VILLA Patrician country house

COEMETERIA A churchyard, cemetery, burying-ground

COLUMBARIA  A subterranean sepulcher, in the walls of which were niches for urns of ashes

LOCULI A receptacle with compartments, coffer, casket, satchel, pocket