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Questions and Answers
Which emperor contributed to the revival of architecture during A.D. 306-337?
Which emperor contributed to the revival of architecture during A.D. 306-337?
Etruscan architecture was primarily dominated by the ruling power of magistrates from the plebeian class.
Etruscan architecture was primarily dominated by the ruling power of magistrates from the plebeian class.
False
Name one way the Etruscans interpreted signs from the gods.
Name one way the Etruscans interpreted signs from the gods.
Reading the entrails of sacrificed animals.
The Etruscans believed that they needed to please the gods to prevent __________.
The Etruscans believed that they needed to please the gods to prevent __________.
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Match the following architectural aspects with their descriptions.
Match the following architectural aspects with their descriptions.
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What was one significant architectural innovation by the Romans?
What was one significant architectural innovation by the Romans?
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The Romans were indifferent to the religious aspect of architecture.
The Romans were indifferent to the religious aspect of architecture.
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What architectural order was particularly favored by Roman architects?
What architectural order was particularly favored by Roman architects?
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The Romans combined new __________ with creative design in their architecture.
The Romans combined new __________ with creative design in their architecture.
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Match the following Roman architectural structures with their characteristics:
Match the following Roman architectural structures with their characteristics:
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What type of columns are used in the Temple of Augustus?
What type of columns are used in the Temple of Augustus?
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What was a key factor in the survival of many Roman architectural buildings?
What was a key factor in the survival of many Roman architectural buildings?
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Roman architects strictly adhered to the Greek architectural orders without any innovation.
Roman architects strictly adhered to the Greek architectural orders without any innovation.
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The Pantheon is a rectangular temple design.
The Pantheon is a rectangular temple design.
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During the reign of __________ I, Christianity was advocated as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
During the reign of __________ I, Christianity was advocated as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
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What is the design style of the Temple of Hercules Victor?
What is the design style of the Temple of Hercules Victor?
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An obelisk is a tall, four-sided monument that ends in a __________ shape at the top.
An obelisk is a tall, four-sided monument that ends in a __________ shape at the top.
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Match the following structures with their descriptions:
Match the following structures with their descriptions:
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Which of the following statements about triumphal arches is true?
Which of the following statements about triumphal arches is true?
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The Lateran Obelisk is the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world.
The Lateran Obelisk is the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world.
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Corinthian columns are characterized by their __________ style.
Corinthian columns are characterized by their __________ style.
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Study Notes
Roman Architecture - Geographical Considerations
- Italy's coastline is not as deeply indented as Greece's, with fewer natural harbors.
- Many parts of Italy are mountainous, with the Apennine range running the length of the peninsula.
- The landscape is not as consistently divided into valleys as Greece.
- The Romans were not a seafaring people like the Greeks.
- They did not establish widespread colonies in the same way as the Greeks.
- Few rival cities in Rome fostered a gradual absorption of smaller states, unlike Athens or Sparta.
Roman Architecture - Geological Information
- Roman buildings used a variety of materials: marble, terracotta, stone, and brick.
- Travertine, a limestone from Tivoli, was a common building material.
- Tufa, a volcanic rock, was also a significant source of building material in Rome.
- Peperino, a volcanic rock from Mount Albano, was also employed.
- Lava and pozzolana, volcanic materials, were plentiful and contributed to the durability of Roman concrete.
- Walls were constructed with concrete, faced with brick, stone, marbles, alabaster, porphyries.
- Concrete, combined with brick and stone, was the most common material.
Roman Architecture - Social and Political Aspects
- Three main groups inhabited the Italian peninsula in early times: Etruscans, Greeks, and others.
- Etruscans, possibly Indo-European, were great builders and inhabited central Italy.
- The Greeks established colonies in southern Italy (Magna Graecia).
- Romans followed a system of government similar to Greece, initially with kings, then later a republic, followed by an empire under Augustus Caesar.
- The Roman Republic waged numerous wars to expand its influence, eventually consolidating rule over the Italian peninsula.
- The Roman conquest of Italy (B.C. 343) took about sixty years and resulted in a city-state dominating the region.
- Conflicts with Carthage (e.g., the Punic Wars) led to Roman dominion over Sicily.
- The Second Punic War was a significant conflict, showcasing Hannibal's strategic brilliance.
- The Roman Empire gradually expanded across Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.
- Periods of civil war and leadership transitions existed within the period of the Roman Empire.
Roman Architecture - Historical Development
- Roman foundations are dated by some around 750 BCE
- The Romans conquered Etruscan cities in wartime.
- Gaul was conquered in the campaigns of Julius Caesar.
- Julius Caesar was murdered and civil war ensued.
- Augustus Caesar became emperor in 27 BCE, establishing the Roman Empire.
- The Roman Empire was marked by numerous emperors, each with periods of activity and expansion.
- The Third Punic War led to the destruction of Carthage and its territory.
- Greece became a province after the conquests of Macedonia.
- The empire expanded further into Western Asia.
- The empire eventually declined and fragmented over years.
- Christianity became a significant new force in the late Roman period.
Roman Architecture - Building Types
- Theatres: Evolved from Greek designs, with examples like the Roman Theatre at Bosra.
- Amphitheatres: One of the significant architectural innovations of the Romans, exemplified by the Colosseum.
- Basilicas: Structures used by the Romans for public gatherings and law courts, and later adopted by Christians for churches.
- Circus Maximus: A large open-air venue for public events, similar in design to Greek hippodromes.
- Forums: Public spaces, often with marketplaces and government buildings, like the Forum of Trajan.
- Horrea: Public warehouses used to store consumables.
- Domus: Single-story homes of the wealthy upper classes.
- Insulae: Multi-story residential apartment blocks for the common people.
- Villas: Large estates, often outside the city, for the wealthy, subdivided based on function (urban vs. rustic), such as the villa fructuaria.
- Thermae: Public bathhouses where bathing, exercise, and socializing occurred, and included multiple sections for different temperature baths (caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium, and laconicum).
- Temples: Significant buildings, typically rectangular (Maison Carrée, Temple of Augustus) or circular (the Temple of Hercules Victor, Pantheon) in design, reflecting different styles and religious devotion.
- Obelisks: Decorative monuments, often of Egyptian origin, like the Lateran Obelisk
Roman Architecture - Materials and Techniques
- Stone: The Romans used marble extensively, particularly in later periods. It was often used in grand public works.
- Concrete: The Romans were innovative in utilizing concrete which allowed for large-scale construction, cheaper, and used for creating varied architectural design and support structures.
- Brick: Sun-dried and fired bricks were common, especially for more practical structures and also used to create ornamentation and details.
- Stucco: A mixture of materials, like sand, gypsum, and sometimes marble dust which could be carved and used to create architectural designs or as a facing material.
- Other Materials: Basalt, terracotta, and various types of stone were also utilized, depending on region and specific needs for a structure.
Roman Architecture - Infrastructure
- Aqueducts: Roman aqueducts carried water to cities and provided water for baths, homes, and agricultural practices
- Bridges: Roman bridges were constructed with arches, concrete in many, and were frequently found in various forms.
- Cisterns: Reservoirs to store water. Large water reservoirs were constructed to serve a wide array of functions, and one of the largest examples being the Basilica Cistern in Turkey.
- Defensive Walls: Fortifications that protected significant cities through the Roman Empire's various regions, for example, the Roman walls of Lugo in Spain.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Roman architecture from A.D. 306 to 337, including key innovations, architectural orders, and significant structures. Explore how the Romans interpreted religious aspects and their contributions to architectural design.
