Historical Background• The buildings found in Rome at the peak of

its power, were large and impressive

• These included theaters, baths, temples, libraries, imperial palaces and basilicas (public meeting places).

• Public monuments celebrating the achievements of emperors existed as arches and columns.

• The Romans borrowed architectural features from the Etruscans and the Greeks. – Form of the Arch- Etruscans – Corinthian Architectural order-

Greeks

• The Romans mastered the design of the arch and introduced a new type of building material, concrete, to form their own architectural style.

Doric Ionic

Corinthian

Roman Concrete• The Roman’s invented a

new building material that we still use today, concrete.

• They mixed stone, sand, lime mortar and water. It dried and hardened into concrete.

• The surviving Roman monuments testify to the strength and durability of concrete.

Arches • The Romans made great use of

the Etruscan Arch

• The Romans used the arch in various ways. They used it to create architectural structures of great size and strength.

• The vault was created by putting

a series of arches side by side.

• The dome was created by several arches crossing in different directions in a circular space.

• Arches and Concrete revolutionized Roman architecture.

• The Arch can be seen in the construction of city gates, bridges and aqueducts. As well as theaters and ampitheaters (round theaters).

Colosseum• It was the most famous

example of an ampitheater in Rome.

• Emperor Vespasian started construction in 72 A.D and completed it in 80 A.D.

• Could hold about 55,000 spectators.

• The Colosseum was used to entertain the public with games. These games were a way for an emperor to increase his popularity.

• The games started with comical acts and ended with

fights to the death between

animals and gladiators or between gladiators and gladiators.

Aqueducts• It is a water transport

system that allows water to flow through pipes or channels to carry water from a well or stream into the town.

• The water was distributed throughout a complex system of lead or earthenware pipes.

• It moved the water using gravity– The aqueduct had to be built at exactly

the right angle in order to use gravity to its full potential.

– It was important for the route of water to be constant and running.

• They were used to bring water to areas that did not have natural water resources.

The Pont de Gard• Was a masterpiece built and named for

the Gard River.

• It channeled water from Nimes, France.

• Highest of all Roman aqueducts.

• It consisted of three tiers of arches

• The Pont de Gard is a testimony to the engineering and construction skill of the Romans.

Pantheon • The Pantheon dates back to

27 B.C., when it was first built by Marcus Agrippa.

• Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it between 117-125 A.D. after it burned to the ground in 80 A.D.

• Was a temple dedicated to All Gods.

• The original use of the Pantheon is unknown, but it is assumed it was used as a temple.

“Temple of All Gods”

• It was made of solid concrete consisted of a round main room topped by a dome and was fronted by a porch of Corinthian columns.

• The dome on top is 142 feet in diameter

• The oculus, the hole in the top of the dome is used as a light source for the interior

Activity• Become a Roman Architect

– Using the features we discussed such as arches, columns or domes draw your own Roman structure

– Use the structures discussed as a guideline for your own Roman Structure

– Provide a name – Be creative and use color – On the Back Write:

• Name of the Structure. • Who you designed it for.• What Features you used.