Roman Architecture: Low Resolution version

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Roman Architecture

Basics

DoricIonicCorinthianTuscanComposite

Examples

AqueductsBathsArches, Amphitheatres & Monuments

Resources

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Doric Style no base 20 flutes predates 5th century B.C. examples: Parthenon, Colosseum

Parthenon

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Ionic Style visibly complex slender proportion nine times the column's lower diameter base and 24 flutings

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Corinthian Style

ornate & more slender than the Ionic style used in numerous monumental works of imperial architecture special base, carved additions, and numerous capital variations florid leafage and sometimes human and animal figures example: Maison Carrée in Nimes, France

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Tuscan Column

introduced by the Etruscans very simple, plain column with a base and non-fluted shaft No major examples survive today . . .

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Composite Order

seen in 82 AD on the arch of Titus combination of Ionic and Corinthian orders most complex due to the fact that it used the arch the arch, the vault and the dome example: Pantheon

• built in the last century BC by Marcus Agrippa and later refurbished by Hadrian• built as a temple to all the Roman gods • later converted into a Christian temple • oldest, and largest, free standing dome in history

Pantheon

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Examples of Roman Architecture (1)Aqueducts

• transport great amounts of water over vast miles of land • need: Tiber river too muddy, polluted from waste dumping • early Roman aqueducts plain stone slabs and earth lime mixtures evolved

Examples : Aqueducts

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Roman Aqueduct public baths & fountains kept operational easy access for all classes to fresh water, bath facilities sanitary standard til 19th century

Pont du Gard near Nimes, France

Examples : Aqueducts

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• worked with principals of gravity • special basins helped purify the water• at destination, water kept in storage tank• distributed by pipes to different locations • Some upper class had water piped directly to their residence • by end of the Western Roman empire, Rome had prominent aqueducts • notables: Aqua Appia Aqua Claudia, built by Claudius

Examples : Aqueducts

Aqueducts

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Romans: not first mass water system (Greeks) but first on such mass scale

When western empire fell, aqueducts, like everything, fell prey to barbarians (middle ages)

Examples : Aqueducts

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Examples of Roman Architecture (2)Baths

• Aqueduct allowed sophiticated public baths• by second century AD public baths grew • pampered could: eat exercise read.• Under Titus, Caracalla and Diocletion, baths housed thousands at a time• different sections changing room exercise room warm baths (tepidarium) cold baths (frigidarium) massage

Examples : Baths

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Roman bath houses: • architectural and engineering wonder • water temperature regulated by underground fire furnaces• dirty water drained and replaced regularly

Examples : Baths

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Roman water system:• always had source of water, for bathing and drinking• helped make Roman empire cleanest society ‘til 19th century

Examples : Baths

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Famous existing Roman Bath's Bath, England (pictured) Baden-Baden, Germany

Examples : Baths

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Romans left grand public structures : their greatest legacy

great amphitheaters and monuments, i.e. the triumphal arch marvels then & now

Examples : Arches, Ampitheaters, Monuments

Examples of Roman Architecture (3)Arches, Ampitheatres, Monuments

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Roman Amphitheater:

• influenced by Greek civilization• generally circular• used arch as their style • some built into a mountain or hillside• hold 50,000 spectators

Examples : Arches, Ampitheaters, Monuments

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for example, the biggest, most famous, Roman Coliseum:

Examples : Arches, Ampitheaters, Monuments

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Coliseum:

• built by the Flavian emperors Vespasian and Titus• used for mock sea battles gladiatorial fights• built with huge removable canopy to protect the spectators from elements

Examples : Arches, Ampitheaters, Monuments

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Great Roman Monuments:

• show great skill • admiration for accomplishments of leaders • grandeur of their empire• use the arch:

• details carved into them• big • prominent feature of skyline of town

Examples : Arches, Ampitheaters, Monuments

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