Romulus and Remusfounders of Rome, saved by a she-wolf and a wood pecker

Keystones

These were the last keys to be placed in the forming of an arch.

Barrel Vault

The barrel vault is the simplest form of a vault: effectively a series of arches placed side by side, i.e., one after another.

Groin Vault

A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. The word "groin" refers to the edge between the intersecting vaults.

Dome Vault A dome which is surrounded on four sides by vaulted arches.

Pont du Gard1st Century A.D.AqueductNimes, France

Pont Du Gard Facts:

Was angled on a very slight slope to allow the water to run down

The cement used in production of many Roman buildings is still not matched today

Carried freshwater from the Alps to cities in the Roman Empire

This resulted in toilets, public baths, and better sanitation (not matched again until the late period of the industrial revolution in the late 1800’s)

Also used as a bridge for Roman soldiers and citizens (“all roads lead to Rome”)

This allowed easy access throughout the Roman Empire and quick access for troops to reach areas under threat

Originally the Romans used terra cotta tiles to line the aqueducts, but they switched to lead which resulted in many health issues

ColosseumFlavian Amphitheatre

72-80 AD

Rome, Italy

The tiered system was based on social class, with the elite near the bottom and the poorer citizens near the top (sound familiar?)

Uses:-Gladiator games-Mock naval battles-Animal Hunts-Executions

It took ten years to build

It is the size of a modern day football stadium

Had a retractable roof to protect the crowd from sun or rain

Sand was spread across the fighting floor to soak up blood from people and animals

Dead gladiators, slaves, and animals would be taken out through the Libitinarian Gate, named after the funeral god Libitina

The floor was flooded and mock naval battles were re-enacted

Roughly 50,000 spectators could watch the entertainment (that’s how many people the skydome holds)

The Ionic and Corinthian Column types adorn the façade of the colosseum

Animals, slaves, gladiators, and many workers were hidden below in a maze of rooms and cells

Emperor Trajan hosted Gladiatorial games lasting over 100 days, consisting of 10,000 men and 11,000 animals

Some animals became extinct in southern Europe due to these games (wolves, bears, lions, leopards)

Colosseum Facts:http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gladiator+scene+with+tigers&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=gladiator+scene+with+tigers&sc=0-16&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=A6ED65C2E0AADBDBAD89A6ED65C2E0AADBDBAD89

Arch of Constantine312-315 AD

Rome, Italy

Arch of Constatine Facts:

Considered a “triumphal Arch”, this arch commemorated the arrival of Emperor Constantine to Rome.

He had united the Eastern and Western Empires into one after a brief power struggle with his brother-in-law

The proportion is a little off in the relief sculptures to fit the small scenes depicted in them

The medallion sculptures were taken from other monuments at the time to honour past Emperors (Marcus Aurilius, Hadrian, and Trajan)

Constantine was the first Christian Emperor of Rome

The Pantheon118-125 A.D.Rome, Italy

Pantheon Facts:

-Pantheon derives from the Greek words for “House of Gods”-Originally commemorated the 7 planetary gods of Rome-The 12 zodiac symbols were decorated above the gods-Is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome-It stands 143’ high-The dome is 20’ thick at the base and 6’ thick at the top-The open hole at the top is known as an “Oculus” meaning eye.-This was used to allow sunlight in, and smoke from lighting devices out-Emperor Hadrian (of Hadrian’s Wall fame) dedicated this building to his slain male lover Antonis. -The building was originally adorned with many Antonis sculptures-Quite a bit of the decorative pieces were taken off later and used in the construction works of Vatican City-Raphael, the famous Renaissance artist, is buried in the Pantheon-This building sits 7 feet below street level. Can you guess why?

Trajan Column

106-113 A.D.

Rome, Italy

Trajan Column Facts:

The monument was dedicated to the Roman victory over the Dacians around 100-110 AD.

The Bas Relief Frieze covering the piece shows daily scenes of the events before, during and after the war

Originally, a statue of Emperor Trajan was placed at the top. It disappeared in the middle ages and was replaced in 1587 by a statue of St. Peter

The Ashes of Trajan and his wife were originally buried under the base of the monument

It stands 125’ tall, and can be ascended from within by a stairwell

Roman Patrician and his Ancestors

Late 1st Century B.C.

Marble

Life-size

Facts:

-Depicts a Roman man with death masks of his father and grandfather-Original death masks were made of wax, and lasted about thirty years-The heads were carried in funeral processions-These are the modern equivalent of a family photo-Is this statue free standing?

Portrait of an Elder

80 B.C.

Marble

Life-size Bust

Facts:

-This death mask was originally done in wax-Due to some of the facial features, some speculate this man may have suffered from lead poisoning (lead in the water from the aqueducts)