Study Notes on Urban Communities and Roman City Planning

Urban Communities and Roman City Planning

Overview of Semester Focus

  • The semester will focus on urban communities.
  • First half: Emphasis on the city of Rome and Central Italy (including Pompeii).

Aerial View of Ancient Rome

  • Discussion begins with an aerial view of Rome.
    • Features highlighted:
    • Colosseum: Iconic symbol of Rome, located in the upper right of the aerial view.
    • Roman Forum: Historical site visible as it appears today.
    • Capitoline Hill: Transformed by Michelangelo into the famous Campidoglio.
    • Via dei Fori Imperiali: Noted for its historical significance.

Expansion of Roman Influence

  • The Roman Empire's reach includes:
    • Roman Greece: Cultural and territorial connections.
    • Asia Minor: Present-day Turkey, significant for trade and culture.
    • North Africa: Positions of influence in what constitutes modern nations.
    • Middle East: Territories now known as Jordan and Syria.
    • Western Europe:
    • Two cities in France.
    • Two cities in Spain.

Case Studies of Roman Architecture

  • Examples of significant architectural sites:
    • Library of Celsus: Located in Ephesus, a prominent Roman structure on the western coast.
    • Palace of Diocletian: Situated in Split, Croatia, representing late Roman imperial architecture along the Dalmatian Coast.

Urban Planning in Ancient Rome

  • Important themes in Roman city planning:
    • Rome grew in an ad hoc manner; not systematically planned, developed organically over time.
    • Originated around the 8th century, with military influence shaping its layout.

Military Influence on Urban Design

  • Roman military campaigns preceded urban development:
    • Soldiers built camps laid out in a geometric style—typically square or rectangular.
    • This influenced the design of Roman cities towards a militaristic foundation for urban planning.

Example of Ideal Roman City Design

  • Example of Tingad (located in modern Algeria):
    • Google Earth Image: Demonstrates the surviving structure of ancient Tingad without later accretions that commonly affect Rome.
    • Characteristics of Tingad:
    • Center Design: Two main axes of the city street plan intersecting centrally.
      • Cardo: North-South street (design and importance).
      • Decumanus: East-West street (design and importance).
    • These streets intersect at the center, embodying the ideal Roman urban plan.