1. The Art of Propaganda
Roman Architecture

2. Roman art and architecture is greatly indebted to Greek models.

3. Roman art and architecture reflect the ambitions of a powerful empire
Roman art and architecture reflect the ambitions of a powerful empire. Monumental buildings and sculptures were used as propaganda tools to glorify the empire and the emperor.

4. Concrete (lime, sand/ash, H20, stones)
Concrete a Roman invention
Part of why their architecture lasted so long
Supposedly the best concrete made from volcano ash of a particular makeup found around Gulf of Naples (according to Pliny the Elder who died when Vesuvius erupted, covering Pompeii)
For harbors, Romans mixed lime and volcanic ash to make a mortar, but wooden molds to form, and let it react with seawater to trigger a chem reaction and make it super strong

5. Before the arch… Earliest architecture system (Stonehenge).
Works fine, but limited by how much weight it can support and how much room you can have between posts.
Distributing the weight in a more complex way via arches allows for heavier ceilings and more space
Arches replaced post and lintel in most buildings up until the Industrial Revolution and steel beams

6. Many on the ancient world used archs, but Romans were the first to use their full weight bearing potential.

7. Voussoirs: wedge-shaped units that form the arch
Keystone: final wedge placed last, at the top of the arch. It balances the weight and force of the voissoirs and holds the arch together.
Pier: The upright support that holds the weight of the arch

8. Arch of Constantine, Rome

9. Series of arches that counter one another’s thrust outward

11. You remember these… Corinthian was most popular in Roman architecture

12. Roman Arch Order All vaults are arches, but not all arches are vaults…
Because a vault in a ceiling as well, and arches aren’t, always.

13. Series of arches placed one after another
Were used in several ancient civilizations, but Romans and Persians only ones in ancient world to really use to full potential

14. Barrel vault in Spain

16. Intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles
Intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles. Only needs to be supported at the four corners (economizing materials)

18. Dome!

19. Coffers and Oculus Coffer: Decorative sunken panals on a ceiling
Oculus: “eye” – circular opening at center of dome; acts as “sun” for building (lights it)

20. Pendentives
a curved triangle of vaulting formed by the intersection of a dome with its supporting arches

21. Basilica Public building for business or legal matters
Interior space often divided by colonnades
Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

22. Virtual Tour

23. FRIDAY: Architecture Quiz
Greek:
Doric
Ionic
Corinthian
Caryatids
Fluting
Entablature
Cornice
Frieze
Architrave
Metopes
Trigylphs
Colonnade
Cella
Pediment
Stylobate
Entasis
Roman:
·       Basilica
·       Coffer
·       Oculus
·       Arch
·       Arcade
·       Pier
·       Voussoir
·       Keystone
·       Barrel Vault
·       Groin Vault
·       Roman Arch Order
·       Dome
·       Pendentive

24. Colosseum Pantheon Hagia Sophia Aqueducts Trajan’s Column Arch of Constantine