аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

The Architecture in Ancient Rome: 15 Things You Need to Know about It

Roman architecture is an innovative combination of materials and designs that created new types of buildings which were impressive in and out. Roman buildings are beautiful, well-built, and practical. They are known for grandeur, engineering prowess, and also enduring influence on architectural styles throughout history.

The ancient Roman architecture adopted the external language of the ancient Romans but was different from Greek buildings and hence they became a new architectural style. Roman architecture covers the period from the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC to about the 4th century AD and they were later reclassified as Late Antique or Byzantine architecture.

1. Classical Order Used in Ancient Rome

Photo by on

A classical order in architecture refers to a certain assemblage of parts subject to uniform established proportions, which are regulated by the office that each part has to perform. Ancient Rome adopted five classical orders, three of them Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian originated in Greece, these orders determined the proportions and decorative elements of columns and capitals.

They later added Tuscan and Composite orders. Tuscan order is characterized by an unfluted shaft and a capital that only consists of an echinus and an abacus. The Composite order is similar to the Corinthian order they have no great difference it was considered the Corinthian order of the Romans.

Here are the 10 Important Things To Know About Renaissance Architecture.

2. Arch and Vault Construction Used in Ancient Rome Architect

An Arch is an important element of the architecture of Rome. Romans revolutionized architecture with their mastery of arches, vaults, and domes. The Arch is semi-circular in shape that diverts pressure through the use of a keystone going down to the ground.

They were the first to extensively use the arch in architecture. Romans constructed the arch using two columns. Examples of arch in Roman architecture include the Triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Colosseum, the Aqua Maria aqueduct, and the Ponte dei Quattro Capi.

3. Concrete and Cement Used in Ancient Rome Architect

Photo by on

Roman architecture supplemented bricks with Concrete and later other building materials followed. They made Concrete perfect and used it in building making them stand on their own and also supported a great deal of weight. Their concrete was a mixture of lime mortar, aggregate, pozzolana, water, and stones. Concrete and cement made it easy to construct large-scale structures quickly and efficiently.

4. Public Buildings in Ancient Rome Architecture

Romans constructed many public buildings that showcased their architectural expertise and served various purposes. Some of these public buildings include temples, Theatres, basilicas, shops, markets, amphitheaters, Pantheon, baths, forums, and triumphal arches.

Some private architecture and houses included the Domus, Catacombs of Rome, Roman Villa, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae. Civil engineering architects included Roman engineering and Roman watermill; they also had military engineering architecture which include Castrum, Hadrian’s Wall, and Limes Germanicus and Antonine Wall.

Read also the American Gothic Architecture: 10 Beautiful Buildings to See.

5. Domus and Villas Architect in Ancient Rome

Photo by Mark Neal: https://www.pexels.com/photo/the-roman-forum-2225440/

In Roman architecture were two types of houses which included the Domus and the insula. They were the first to realize the importance of Domus for the creation of large and well-defined interior spaces.

The domus consisted of suites of rooms grouped around a central hall or atrium to which were often added further suites at the rear, grouped around a colonnaded court or peristyle. Domus was typically occupied by wealthier citizens and Villas were rural country estates owned by the elite.

6. Urban Planning in Ancient Rome

Romans are said to have used a consolidated scheme for city planning which was developed for civil convenience. They were skilled urban planners and they greatly emphasized the importance of having an organized city.

The plan consisted of a central forum with city services which were surrounded by a compact and rectilinear grid of streets. There was a river that flowed through the city hence providing water, transport, and sewage disposal.

7. Ancient Romans Constructed Several Aqueducts Architecture

Ancient Romans constructed many Aqueducts to bring water from distant sources into their cities and towns supplying public baths, latrines, fountains, and private households. Also, waste water had to be removed by complex sewage systems and they are released into nearby bodies of water by doing this the city remains clean.

Aqueducts were also used to provide water for mining operations. Farming and gardening. They used gravity to transport water over long distances. They proved to be reliable and durable.

Find also the 10 Greatest Examples of Gothic architecture in England.

8. Colosseum is Most Iconic Roman Marvel Architectural

Photo by cmonphotography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-and-brown-concrete-building-1809616/

The most iconic Roman architectural marvel is the Colosseum. It is an amphitheater built in Rome under the Flavian emperors of the Roman Empire as a gift to the Roman people. Sometimes it’s referred to as the Flavian Amphitheatre.

Colosseum is made up of stone, tuff, and concrete and according to history, it stands four stories tall at its highest point. Colosseum has a capacity of holding up to 50,000 people and has hosted mock naval battles and gladiatorial contests among many events.

9. Pantheon- Monument in Rome

Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome since it has been continuously used throughout history. It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.

History has it that two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. It is renowned for its vast domed roof with an opening at the top.

10. Roman Architects had an Influence on Western Architecture

Photo by Davi Pimentel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/colosseum-rome-italy-2064827/

Buildings and designs made Roman architecture so influential. They were the first to create vast and complicated road systems that connected cities to the capital. Roman has had a great and lasting impact on Western architectural styles.

Most of their elements have been incorporated into various periods and styles which included the Renaissance, Neoclassicism, and also on contemporary architecture.

Here are the 10 Best Examples of German Gothic Architecture.

11. There Were Several Basilicas in Rome’s Architecture

It is recorded that the Roman Basilica was a big building where business and legal matters were transacted. The oldest known basilica called Basilica Porcia was built in 184 BC by Cato the Elder.

In those early days, Basilicas were not used for religious functions. However, after some years when Christianity became the official religion they served as religious centers.

12. Circus Maximus was the Biggest Ancient Roman Stadium

Dietmar Rabich /  /  /

Circus Maximus was the biggest ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. It has a capacity of holding about 150000 people. In its fully developed form, it became the model for circuses throughout the Roman Empire.

Later, it was changed to a park. The architect and the design are great and speak loud of how the architecture in Rome is beautiful.

13. Type of Bricks Used in Ancient Roman Construction

Romans made fired clay bricks from about the beginning of the empire and it replaced sun-dried mudbricks. The bricks were made of different shapes and sizes.

One of the buildings in Trier called Constantine Basilica was constructed from Roman bricks. During the early centuries, they used bricks to construct both public and private construction.

Find the 15 Beautiful Gothic Cathedrals Architecture from around the World.

14. Arch of Constantine was Constructed During Ancient Rome

Photo by JV Gardens: https://www.pexels.com/photo/saint-peter-s-basilica-339887/

Arch of Constantine is an architect that was constructed and designed to be a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine Great.

It was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312.

15. Romanum was the Central Public Square in Ancient Rome

Forum Romanum was constructed to be the central public square in ancient Rome. The main purpose of its construction was to serve as the heart of political, social, and commercial activities. It also housed important temples and government buildings.