Roman Architecture 2

ODRIGUEZ INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND ARCHITECTURE

PART 2: ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

History of Architecture 01 – Ar. Diane A. Jose, MBA

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

Geographic Context

  • Map highlights including major sites such as:

    • Europe: London, Toledo, Milan

    • North Africa: Carthage, Alexandria, Memphis

    • Asia: Damascus, Jerusalem

    • Key locations: Rome, Byzantium, Massilia

    • Roman Roads: Established in A.D. 14 connecting various parts of the Roman Empire.

INFLUENCES ON ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

Geological Influence

  • Materials Utilized in Italy:

    • Marble

    • Terra-cotta

    • Stone

    • Brick

  • Key materials sourced in Rome:

    • Travertine: A hard limestone from Tivoli

    • Tufa: A volcanic rock predominant in Rome

    • Peperino: Volcanic stone from Mount Albano

    • Other Materials: Lava and Pozzolana (a clean sandy earth) contributed to durability, especially when mixed with lime for concrete.

Climate Influence

  • Various climate regions within Italy:

    • Northern: Temperate continental climate

    • Central: Genial and sunny

    • Southern: Almost tropical conditions

Religious Influence

  • Heathen religion of ancient Rome: Integral to the state structure, leading to the emperor receiving divine honors.

  • Pantheon of deities reflects the tolerance of Roman rule, influencing temple architecture significantly.

Social and Political Influence

  • Government structure shifted from chosen kings to republic around B.C. 500, leading to the Empire in B.C. 27 under Augustus.

  • Building Acts: Enacted during the reigns of Augustus, Nero, and Trajan, influencing architectural development.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

Architectural Style

  • Adoption of Greek Elements: Columnar and trabeated style, complemented by arches, vaults, and domes adopted from Etruscan methods.

  • Colosseum Example: Shows integration of semi-attached columns acting as buttresses, part of the wall system.

Architectural Orders

  • Orders: Primarily decorative and no longer bearing true structural significance.

  • Types of constructions highlighting Roman greatness:

    • Thermae: Baths

    • Temples

    • Amphitheatres

    • Aqueducts

    • Bridges

    • Tombs

    • Basilicas

    • Fora (public squares)

Construction Techniques

  • Shift from Greek methods of large stone blocks (unconnected by mortar) to the economical use of concrete, consisting of small fragments of stone or quarry debris mixed with lime or mortar.

  • Types of walling methods:

    • Opus Quadratum: Rectangular blocks of stone

    • Concrete Unfaced/Faced: Used in Italy

    • Other types include Opus Incertum, Opus Testaceum, Opus Reticulatum, and Opus Spicatum.

Vault Types

  • Barrel Vault (semicircular or wagon-headed)

  • Cross Vault

  • Dome Types (hemispherical and semi domes)

ETRUSCAN INFLUENCE

Architectural Contributions

  • Etruscans: Influential early builders in central Italy whose construction methods impacted Roman architecture.

  • Key remains: Tombs, city walls, gateways, bridges, aqueducts.

  • Notable structure: Cloaca Maxima (circa B.C. 578), a significant drainage system in Rome featuring a semicircular arch.

  • Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus: Key Etruscan temple described by Vitruvius, with prominent features including its divided cella housing statues of deities and reconstruction details by Sulla.

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE STYLES AND STRUCTURES

Forum/Fora

  • Corresponds to the Greek Agora, acting as a market and political meeting area, surrounded by porticos and important buildings (temples, basilicas, shops).

  • Forum Romanum: Oldest and a significant historical hub, used as a hippodrome before amphitheatres.

Roman Temples

  • Result of Etruscan and Greek amalgamation: resemblance to Greek forms with Etruscan podiums.

  • List of notable temples:

    • Temple of Fortuna Virilis (B.C. 100)

    • Temple of Mars Ultor (B.C. 2)

    • Temple of Concord (B.C. 27)

    • Temple of Vespasian (A.D. 6)

  • General features: prostyle arrangements and podium reliance, significant discrepancy with earlier Etruscan styles.

Basilicas

  • Originally designed as law courts and merchant exchanges, signifying Roman commitment to justice.

  • Example: Trajan's Basilica and Basilica of Maxentius or Constantine highlight vaulted roofs and formal judicial structure designs.

Thermae (Baths)

  • Served as public baths, integrating features of Greek gymnasia, divided into three main parts:

    • Central block (bathing areas)

    • Open space for exercises and spectators

    • Outer ring of apartments for leisure

  • Example: Thermae of Caracalla accommodating 1,600 users, showcasing extensive bath installations (tepidarium, caldarium, laconium, frigidarium).

ROMAN ENTERTAINMENT STRUCTURES

Theaters and Amphitheaters

  • Theaters became adaptable with semi-circular auditoriums & tiered seating, utilizing the art of vaulting.

  • Examples: Theater at Orange (seating 7,000) and Theatre of Marcellus in Rome showing structural transitions.

  • Amphitheaters were dual-sided public venues, such as the Colosseum, hosting gladiatorial contests and public events, completed in A.D. 82.

Circus

  • Adapted from Greek stadiums for horse and chariot races, featuring distinguishable components like cavea (seating), area (racing ground), and spina (central divider).

  • Circus Maximus: First and largest Roman circus.

TRIUMPHAL ARCHES AND VICTORY COLUMNS

Triumph Arches

  • Constructed in honor of emperors/ generals, featuring Corinthian/Composite columns and inscriptions about victories.

  • Examples: Arch of Titus (A.D. 70) commemorating Jerusalem capture and Arch of Septimius Severus celebrating Parthian victories.

Pillars of Victory

  • Trajan’s Column: Erected A.D. 161 in memory of victories and modeled to commemorate exploits with intricate bas relief.

  • Rostral Columns: Dedicated to naval triumphs, adorned with captured ship prows and detailed inscriptions.

TOMBS IN ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

  • Varieties of Tombs:

    • Columbaria: Subterranean vaults (catacombs) with niches for ashes.

    • Monumental tombs: Tower-like structures possibly derived from prehistoric tumulus.

    • Pyramid tombs: Influenced by Egyptian architecture, such as the Pyramid of Cestius (B.C. 62-12).

    • Smaller tombs: Isolated monuments along roads.

    • Eastern tombs: Varied styles found in Syria, Asia Minor, and North Africa.

AQUEDUCTS AND BRIDGES

Aqueducts

  • Structures resembling bridges, designed to carry water to urban areas utilizing smooth channels carried on multi-tiered arches.

  • Example: Pont-du-Gard, a remarkable aqueduct in France.

Bridges

  • Characterized by solid designs focusing on durability and simple engineering.

  • Example: Bridge at Rimini.

PALACES AND HOMES

Palaces

  • Roman Emperors' residences typically accessible from the Forum Romanum.

  • The Palace of Diocletian in Spalato endured as a functional city.

Houses

  • Insulae: Multi-storied urban apartments for citizens; ground floors usually had shops.

  • Domus: Elite housing with open patios (atrium), gardens, and dining spaces (triclinium); architectural features focused on light and functionality.

  • Villas: Country houses serving as agricultural operations or retreats for the elite, important for economic productivity.

Conclusion

  • Roman architecture showcases a rich interplay between functionality, cultural influences, and advanced engineering techniques which contributed to its lasting legacy and adaptability.

Reference:

SIR BANISTER FLETCHER'S A HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE
TWENTIETH EDITION