1. The Buildings of the World’s Most Powerful Empire
Roman Architecture
The Buildings of the World’s Most Powerful Empire

2. Republican Architecture
Republican Period – (509 BCE – 31 BCE)
Overtaking of Etruscans through rise of Augustus Caesar after the death of Antony and Cleopatra and 13 years of civil war
Architecture
Greek influence – basic rectangular structure, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns
Etruscan influence – emphasis on facades and stairs

3. Temple of Saturn

4. Temple of Vesta
**Note the influence of Greek and Etruscan architecture with the use of a podium.

6. Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia 120 - 80 bc.
This large temple complex is built on the site of an earlier oracle.
Spread over 7 terraced levels - the whole hillside was reworked. Roman builders never turned away from the opportunity to do massive earthwork in order to create a major architectural statement. Foundation levels are made of poured concrete

7. Invention of Concrete
Concrete was the favorite building material of the Romans
Concrete has 3 basic components - the cement made of lyme, sand, and aggregate all mixed with water
for aggregate Roman builders used rubble, local volcanic rock or stream cobbles
commonly poured over rock , or rubble which was set between forms
Concrete is very strong, but also very unattractive
It may be covered with marble, other stonework, plaster (interior)
By the 2nd c. BCE the use of concrete is widespread

8. Imperial Rome
With the rise of Augustus Caesar, the period known as Imperial Rome began
Civil war, strife and violence are replaced with peace, tranquility and prosperity
Period ends with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus
Our study: through the 1st century CE
Pick up later Roman art and architecture with Constantine and Christian influences

9. Imperial Architecture
Buildings begin to use circular floor plans
Temples and places of worship are smaller = more personal
Column orders are increased to five:
Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite
Tuscan = Greek Doric with an added base and shorter, un-fluted shaft
Composite = Ionic and Corinthian combined

10. Round Temple at Forum Boarium

11. Imperial Architecture
Introduction of concrete—used for walls, vaults, and domes.
Known as “synthetic stone”
More cost effective
Use of the arch
Stronger support
Able to have cement ceilings instead of wood

12. Roman Arches
The arch is composed of wedge-shaped blocks (or voussoirs) and a keystone, the curves of the arch rises from the springers on either side
Stones grow wider as they move toward keystone
Regularly used for bridges and aqueducts as well as domestic and public buildings

13. Roman Aqueducts

14. Roman Coliseum

15. Uses of the Arch Creates
Barrels vaults, used to roof rectangular spaces. Stress was carried down the sides of the vaults (think of isometric exercises)
Groin vaults, the right angle intersection of two vaults, were used in high traffic areas.
Dome, circular structure (ribs=arches) covered with concrete

17. Barrel Vault

18. Groin Vault

19. Dome

20. Famous Arches
Triumphal Arches – commemorative structures used for celebration of political or military accomplishments.
Colosseum– Sports arena in the heart of Rome. Housed 50,000 spectators for Gladiatorial events.
Pantheon– originally a pagan temple. Known for its massive sense of space and oculus.

21. Triumphal Arches
Arch of Titus

22. Coliseum

23. Coliseum

24. Pantheon

25. Why did they build “spaces”?
Romans were concerned with the space created by a building and not just the mass of the structure.
The more space = the bigger the empire

26. Art of the Roman Period Emphasis on realistic portrayal (verism)
Sculpture = Introduction of Busts of ancestors and rulers (patricians)
Portrait sculptures of rulers
Relief sculptures (mostly high)
Painting = Frescoes most dominant
Subjects = Religious and Secular

27. Head of a Roman c. 80 BCE, marble, 14" h

28. Patrician w/ Busts of His ancestors c. 30 BC

29. Marcus Aurelius

30. Frescoes
Detail of fresco
Pompei, Italy
1st c. BCE

31. Herculaneum with Artemis