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)