Roman Architecture PDF

LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY Ancient Rome begin as a group of villages along the Tiber River (Italy). Around 750 B.C. these villages united to form the city of Rome. The Alps in the north and the Apennines along Italy are the mountain ranges that Romans used the hills for defense. Romans were able to...

LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY Ancient Rome begin as a group of villages along the Tiber River (Italy). Around 750 B.C. these villages united to form the city of Rome. The Alps in the north and the Apennines along Italy are the mountain ranges that Romans used the hills for defense. Romans were able to grow a wide variety of crops because of the good climate. GEOGRAPHY The development of civilization is affected by geography. Rome did not spring into being as a power on the Italian peninsula. It began as a tiny village along the Tiber River. It was an excellent location, with seven hills offering a natural defensive barrier. The Tiber River gave these early settlers access to fresh water for drinking and bathing, as well as a waterway for trade, and food to eat. The flatland, on the other side of the Tiber River, was perfect for farmland. The soil was good so crops could be grown easily. The area along the Tiber River, in the seven hills, offered what they needed. They started their city on the top of one hill. They walled around it. As they expanded, they also expanded their wall, until one wall encircled all seven hills. GEOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT ROMAN ARCHITECTURE This map reveals the Roman Empire at the time of Trajan's death in 116 AD. Examining the history of the Roman Empire Rome was actually first a Republic and then an Empire, and when Rome reached the height of its prosperity, it became the greatest empire the world has ever known. Roman architects struggled to achieve two overriding aims: 1- to demonstrate the grandeur and power of Rome, 2- also improving the life of their fellow citizens. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ROMAN ARCHITECTURE Roman architects absorbed a great deal from Etruscan art and design and had huge respect for Greek architecture. They also learned from Egyptian pyramid architecture and stonework. The Romans were above all things a practical people. They brought engineering into the service of architecture. They made the arch and vault the basis of their system of design. They systematized their methods of construction so that soldiers and barbarians could execute the rough mass of their buildings. They formulated the designing of the decorative details so that artisans of moderate skill could execute them with good effect. BUILDING MATERIALS Long before concrete made its appearance on the building scene in Rome, the Romans utilized a volcanic stone native to Italy called tufa to construct their buildings. During the empire, the most common stone used for building was travertine because it was more durable and its off-white color made it an acceptable substitute for marble. Marble was used only for facing or decoration, or sometimes in mosaics. Colored marbles and stones like alabaster and granite, were also popular. CONCRETE Roman concrete (opus caementicium) was typically made from Hydraulic cement. a mixture of lime mortar, water, sand and pozzolana, a fine, ochre-colored volcanic earth, which set well even under water. The discovery of slow-drying concrete made with pozzolana sand created a revolution in architectural design. This allowed walls to be constructed of mainly concrete. The result was strong structures that could be formed in any desirable shape. The volcanic sand used in Roman concrete and mortar made their buildings last for so long. CONCRETE The Roman Pantheon, a huge concrete building that has endured for nearly 2,000 years was made entirely out of concrete, without the reinforcing support of structural steel. CONSTRUCTION METHODS Since lintels are heavy, the interior spaces of buildings could only be limited in size. Much of the interior space had to be devoted to supporting heavy loads. Roman architecture differed fundamentally from this tradition because of the discovery of concrete, arches and vaulting. Romans became increasingly concerned with shaping interior space rather than filling it with structural supports. As a result, the inside of Roman buildings were as impressive as their exteriors THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES Factors such as wealth and high population densities in cities forced the ancient Romans to discover new (architectural) solutions of their own. The use of vaults and arches, together with a sound knowledge of building materials, enabled them to achieve unprecedented successes in the construction of imposing structures for public use. Romans were able to create many impressive building and structures. THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES An Arch is a very strong shape as no single spot holds all the weight. Romans used arches to support the things they built. THE ARCHES The arches were modified greatly by the Romans so that they could carry large amount of weights. It was usually build by stones, brick or concrete THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES THE USE OF ARCHES, VAULTS, AND DOMES ROMAN TOWN PLANNING Cities were the center of Roman life. Need for infrastructure. Water and sewer system. Transport and defense. Public spaces and markets. Linking through paved roads. THE ROMAN ORDERS To meet the demands of Roman taste the Etruscan column was retained with its simple entablature. The Doric and Ionic were adopted in a modified form. A regular system of proportions for all these five orders was gradually evolved. Roman ionic order THE ROMAN ORDERS Monolithic shafts were preferred to those built up of superposed drums. The fluting was omitted and when hard and semi- precious stone was the material, it was highly polished to bring out its color. Another radical departure from Greek usage was the mounting of columns on pedestals. The general use of engaged columns as wall-decorations or buttresses. columns continued to be used even when they were no longer structurally necessary. This was to give buildings a traditional and familiar look THE ROMAN ORDERS The Greek anta was developed into the Roman pilaster or flattened wall- column. Every free column, or range of columns perpendicular to the façade, had its corresponding pilaster to support the wall-end of the architrave. THE COLUMNS Roman Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Orders were slenderer and more ornamented. Columns tended to be left unfluted. The Tuscan column was another adaptation of a traditional idea which was a form of Doric column but with a smaller capital, more slender shaft without flutes, and a molded base. THE COLUMNS The Corinthian order was particularly favored and many Roman buildings THE FORUM THE FORUM The Forum is a rectangular plaza surrounded by several important government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Roman cities were typically focused on the forum. THE FORUM THE FORUM The forum is the civic, religious and economic heart of the city. Major temples were located, as well as other important shrines, the basilica (a law court), and other official meeting places for the town council. AQUEDUCTS AND BRIDGES Aqueducts are massive structures, with single, double, or triple tiers of arches, were designed to carry fresh water to urban centers from sources sometimes many kilometers away. BASILICAS The basilica was adopted by the Christian church but was conceived by the Romans as a place for any large gathering, with the most common use being law courts. They were usually built along one side of the forum, which was enclosed on all sides by colonnades. The basilica’s long hall and roof were supported by columns and piers on all sides. The columns created a central nave flanked on all sides by an aisle. BASILICAS BATHS BATHS THEATRES It is similar to the Greek but it is not located in a mountain but completely built. It has a semi-circular scenery. THEATRES AMPHITHEATRES TRIUMPHAL ARCHES The commemorative arches, or arches of triumph, were a sort of ceremonial architecture invented by the Romans in their passion for the show of power, to commemorate an important event or military campaign. TEMPLES It copied the Greek model. It has only one portico and a main façade. The cella is totally closed. It is built on a podium Instead of having stairs all around, it only has them in the main façade.