Ancient Roman Architecture and Art

Archaeology Of Roman Architecture

• Roman architecture was heavily influenced by Greek and Etruscan styles
• Characterized by the use of arches, domes, and concrete
• Famous examples:
  • Colosseum (Rome, 80 CE)
  • Pantheon (Rome, 126 CE)
  • Pont du Gard (France, 16 BCE)

Roman Art And Artifacts

• Roman art was heavily influenced by Greek art
• Common motifs:
  • Mythological scenes
  • Portraits of emperors and gods
  • Decorative designs (e.g. acanthus leaves)
• Famous examples:
  • Apollo Belvedere (marble sculpture, 2nd century CE)
  • Augustus of Prima Porta (marble sculpture, 20 CE)
  • Warren Cup (silver cup, 5-15 CE)

Roman Urban Planning

• Roman cities were designed with a grid pattern
• Typical features:
  • Forum (central square)
  • Basilica (large public building)
  • Amphitheater (entertainment venue)
  • Aqueducts (water supply system)
• Famous examples:
  • Rome (Italy)
  • Pompeii (Italy)
  • Ephesus (Turkey)

Excavation Of Roman Ruins

• Excavation techniques:
  • Stratigraphic excavation (layer by layer)
  • Troweling (careful removal of soil)
• Famous excavations:
  • Pompeii and Herculaneum (Italy, 1748-1863)
  • Roman Forum (Rome, 1803-1869)
  • Caesarea Maritima (Israel, 1950s-1970s)

Roman Empire

• Period: 27 BCE - 476 CE
• Divided into two periods:
  • Principate (27 BCE - 284 CE): ruled by emperors
  • Dominate (284 - 476 CE): ruled by autocratic emperors
• Famous emperors:
  • Augustus (27 BCE - 14 CE)
  • Trajan (98 - 117 CE)
  • Constantine (306 - 337 CE)

Archaeology Of Roman Architecture

• Roman architecture was influenced by Greek and Etruscan styles, characterized by the use of arches, domes, and concrete
• Famous examples include the Colosseum (Rome, 80 CE), Pantheon (Rome, 126 CE), and Pont du Gard (France, 16 BCE)

Roman Art And Artifacts

• Roman art was influenced by Greek art, common motifs include mythological scenes, portraits of emperors and gods, and decorative designs like acanthus leaves
• Famous examples include the Apollo Belvedere (marble sculpture, 2nd century CE), Augustus of Prima Porta (marble sculpture, 20 CE), and Warren Cup (silver cup, 5-15 CE)

Roman Urban Planning

• Roman cities were designed with a grid pattern and typically feature a forum (central square), basilica (large public building), amphitheater (entertainment venue), and aqueducts (water supply system)
• Famous examples include Rome (Italy), Pompeii (Italy), and Ephesus (Turkey)

Excavation Of Roman Ruins

• Excavation techniques include stratigraphic excavation (layer by layer) and troweling (careful removal of soil)
• Famous excavations include Pompeii and Herculaneum (Italy, 1748-1863), Roman Forum (Rome, 1803-1869), and Caesarea Maritima (Israel, 1950s-1970s)

Roman Empire

• Roman Empire period: 27 BCE - 476 CE
• Divided into two periods: Principate (27 BCE - 284 CE) ruled by emperors, and Dominate (284 - 476 CE) ruled by autocratic emperors
• Famous emperors include Augustus (27 BCE - 14 CE), Trajan (98 - 117 CE), and Constantine (306 - 337 CE)

Explore the influences and characteristics of Roman architecture and art, including famous examples like the Colosseum and Pantheon, and common motifs in Roman art like mythological scenes and decorative designs.