Theory of Architecture II

Roman Architecture
Prepared by: Sardar S. Shareef
Roman Empire
○ Ancient Roman architecture adopted the external
language of classical Greek architecture for the
purposes of the ancient Romans, but was different
from Greek buildings, becoming a new
architectural style. The Parthenon, on the Acropolis, in Athens.

○ Romans needed interior space for worship,

whereas the Greeks worshipped outside.

○ Their solution was to extend the walls outward,

creating engaged columns, while maintaining the
The Maison Carrée at Nîmes in France, one
same basic shape. of the best preserved Roman temples
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 Inventions and Innovations of Roman Architecture
○ Ancient Roman Architecture has endured for about
2,000 years because the Romans perfected the use
of the three elements:

 The Arch

 The Vault

 The Concrete

 The Dome
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 One of the Rome’s most important contribution
to the world of architecture was the
development of the arch.

The Romans were the first to use the form of the

arch to create monuments that commemorated
victories of war.

 The Arch

Triumphal Arch
The Arch
One of the Rome’s most important
contribution to the world of
architecture was the development
of the arch. It consists of the two
supports, called piers, each topped
by a platform called an impost.
Angled blocks of brick or stone,
called voussoirs [voo-swars’], are
placed on the imposts in an arched,
curved pattern that is capped by the
central block of the arch called the
keystone.
The Arch
Row of arch is called arcade. Arches
allowed the Romans to create
wider, taller, and lighter structures.
They also learned that if they built
arches entirely the walls of their
building would become even
stronger.

Colosseum in Rome, Italy, Roman architecture

The Arch
Roman Arch types

Colosseum in Rome, Italy, Roman architecture

 In architecture, a vault is a self-supporting arched form,
usually of stone or brick, serving to cover a space with a
ceiling or roof.
Romans used them to create large open rooms
and high covered passageways.
Vaults are extended arches.

 The Vault

Triumphal Arch
The Vault
Vault types
 Concrete was probably the greatest Roman contribution to
Architecture. Roman concrete, also called opus
caementicium, was made with a special Roman mortar or
cement, called caementa, created by mixing water, lime,
and a special volcanic ash sand, called pozzolana, that gave
the Roman caementa its special strength.

 The Concrete
 Roman concrete was based on a hydraulic-setting cement.
Recently, it has been found that it materially differs in
several ways to modern Portland cement. It is widely
acknowledged that roman concrete is the most durable type
of cement of its kind due to its use of volcanic ash.

 The Concrete
 A dome is a vaulted structure having a circular plan and
usually the form of a portion of a sphere, so constructed as
to exert an equal thrust in all directions
Romans used domes to
span and cover very
large open spaces.

 The Dome
 Romans used domes to span and cover very large
open spaces.

With the dome, the Romans could surpass earlier

cultures by their ability to span space.
Light enters through the oculus on top.

 The Dome
  Temple

 Theatre

 Basilica

 Aqueducts
Roman  Triumph Arch
Architecture  Amphi-theatre
types  Circus

 Bridges
 Ancient Roman temples were among the most
important buildings in Roman culture, and
some of the richest buildings in Roman
architecture, though only a few survive in any
sort of complete state. Today they remain "the
most obvious symbol of Roman architecture".

Temple
 The temple to the Roman gods built in 126 AD
was called The Pantheon.

Temple
 The temple to the Roman gods built in 126 AD
was called The Pantheon.

43.28 m

43.28 m

Temple
Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
○ B. The Triumphal Arch: built by Emperors as
a symbol of Victory in war. Oldest is the Arch
if Titus. Last is the Arch of Constantine the
Great. They have inscription about the event
– primary source. Usually built near the
Forum.
Roman Building Types ○ C. The Obelisk: it is a spit, nail, pointed
pillar" is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering
1. Political Architecture
monument which ends in a pyramid-like
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples shape or pyramidion at the top.
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types ○ A. Aqueducts – using arcades to deliver
water to cities from mountain sources.
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types ○ B. Bridges – permanent crossings of rivers.

1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types ○ C. Roads – for army use and trade.

1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
○ D. Amphitheaters – for mass entertainment,
not culture or arts. They have 2 parts –
Theatron for spectators and Arena for
performance. No religious significance.
The Colosseum
Roman Building Types ○ D. Amphitheaters

1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types ○ D. Baths – community centers with attached
library, gym, swimming pool, spa and
1. Political Architecture
conference rooms
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture
○ E. The Roman circus: (from the Latin word
that means "circle") was a large open-air
venue used for public events in the ancient
Roman Empire. The circuses were similar to
the ancient Greek hippodromes, although
circuses served varying purposes and
differed in design and construction.
Roman Building Types ○ E. The Roman circus:

1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples
4. Roman Private Architecture

Roman Circus Maximus

Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples & Basilicas
4. Roman Private Architecture
○ A. Roman temples were built close to the
forum. Religion was a very public function in
Rome. Temples accommodate several gods.
Emperor Hadrian built the temple of all gods
– Pantheon. Romans often built round
temples accessible trough only one door.
Some have internal atrium. Greek columns
were borrowed, but the orders were mixed;
often only decorative.
Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples & Basilicas
4. Roman Private Architecture

The Maison Carree temple

Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples & Basilicas
4. Roman Private Architecture
○ B. Christian basilicas were build in the 4th
and 5th centuries – have the shape of a
cross. The term basilica refers to the
function of a building as that of a meeting
hall. In ancient Rome, basilicas were the site
for legal matters to be carried out and a
place for business transactions.
Architecturally, a basilica typically had a
rectangular base that was split into aisles by
columns and covered by a roof.
Roman Building Types
1. Political Architecture
2. Roman Utilities
3. Roman Temples & Basilicas
4. Roman Private Architecture
 ○ The elite classes of Roman society
Roman Building Types
constructed their residences with elaborate
1. Political Architecture marble decorations, inlaid marble paneling,
2. Roman Utilities door jambs and columns as well as
3. Roman Temples & Basilicas
4. Roman Private Architecture expensive paintings and frescoes.
 ○ Roman columns were purely for decoration,
unlike Greek columns that were used to
support their buildings and temples. There
Roman Column Types were four types of columns used throughout
the Ancient Roman Empir

Tuscan
 Thank You
Sardar S. Shareef
+964 770 455 1212
Sardar.shareef3@gmail.com

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