Roman Roman ArchitectureArchitecture

The Buildings of the World’s Most The Buildings of the World’s Most Powerful EmpirePowerful Empire

Republican ArchitectureRepublican Architecture

Republican Period – (509 BCE – 31 BCE)Republican Period – (509 BCE – 31 BCE) Overtaking of Etruscans through rise of Overtaking of Etruscans through rise of

Augustus Caesar after the death of Antony and Augustus Caesar after the death of Antony and Cleopatra and 13 years of civil warCleopatra and 13 years of civil war

ArchitectureArchitecture Greek influence – basic rectangular structure, Doric, Greek influence – basic rectangular structure, Doric,

Ionic and Corinthian columnsIonic and Corinthian columns Etruscan influence – emphasis on facades and Etruscan influence – emphasis on facades and

stairsstairs

Temple of Saturn

Temple of Vesta

**Note the influence of Greek and Etruscan

architecture with the use of a podium.

Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia120 - 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

Invention of ConcreteInvention of Concrete Concrete was the favorite building material of Concrete was the favorite building material of

the Romans the Romans Concrete has 3 basic components - the Concrete has 3 basic components - the

cementcement made of lyme, made of lyme, sand, sand, andand aggregate aggregate all mixed with waterall mixed with water for aggregate Roman builders used rubble, local volcanic rock for aggregate Roman builders used rubble, local volcanic rock

or stream cobbles or stream cobbles commonly poured over rock , or rubble which was set between commonly poured over rock , or rubble which was set between

formsforms

Concrete is very strong, but also very Concrete is very strong, but also very unattractive unattractive It may be covered with marble, other stonework, plaster It may be covered with marble, other stonework, plaster

(interior) (interior) By the 2nd c. BCE the use of concrete is widespreadBy the 2nd c. BCE the use of concrete is widespread

Imperial RomeImperial Rome

With the rise of Augustus Caesar, the period With the rise of Augustus Caesar, the period known as Imperial Rome beganknown as Imperial Rome began

Civil war, strife and violence are replaced with Civil war, strife and violence are replaced with peace, tranquility and prosperitypeace, tranquility and prosperity

Period ends with the deposition of Romulus Period ends with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus Augustulus

Our study: through the 1Our study: through the 1stst century CE century CE Pick up later Roman art and architecture with Pick up later Roman art and architecture with

Constantine and Christian influencesConstantine and Christian influences

Imperial ArchitectureImperial Architecture Buildings begin to use circular floor plansBuildings begin to use circular floor plans Temples and places of worship are smaller = Temples and places of worship are smaller =

more personalmore personal Column orders are increased to five:Column orders are increased to five:

Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and CompositeTuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite Tuscan = Greek Doric with an added base and shorter, Tuscan = Greek Doric with an added base and shorter,

un-fluted shaftun-fluted shaft Composite = Ionic and Corinthian combinedComposite = Ionic and Corinthian combined

Round Temple at Forum Boarium

Imperial ArchitectureImperial Architecture

Introduction of concrete—used for walls, Introduction of concrete—used for walls, vaults, and domes. vaults, and domes. Known as “synthetic stone” Known as “synthetic stone” More cost effectiveMore cost effective

Use of the arch Use of the arch Stronger supportStronger support Able to have cement ceilings instead of Able to have cement ceilings instead of

woodwood

Roman ArchesRoman Arches

The arch is composed of wedge-shaped blocks The arch is composed of wedge-shaped blocks (or (or voussoirs) voussoirs) and a keystone, the curves of and a keystone, the curves of the arch rises from the the arch rises from the springers springers on either sideon either side

Stones grow wider as they move toward Stones grow wider as they move toward keystonekeystone

Regularly used for bridges and aqueducts as Regularly used for bridges and aqueducts as well as domestic and public buildingswell as domestic and public buildings

Roman Aqueducts

Roman Coliseum

Uses of the ArchUses of the Arch

CreatesCreates Barrels vaults, used to roof rectangular Barrels vaults, used to roof rectangular

spaces. Stress was carried down the sides spaces. Stress was carried down the sides of the vaults (think of isometric exercises)of the vaults (think of isometric exercises)

Groin vaults, the right angle intersection of Groin vaults, the right angle intersection of two vaults, were used in high traffic areas.two vaults, were used in high traffic areas.

Dome, circular structure (ribs=arches) Dome, circular structure (ribs=arches) covered with concretecovered with concrete

Barrel VaultBarrel Vault

Groin VaultGroin Vault

DomeDome

Famous ArchesFamous Arches

Triumphal Arches – commemorative structures Triumphal Arches – commemorative structures used for celebration of political or military used for celebration of political or military accomplishments.accomplishments.

Colosseum– Sports arena in the heart of Colosseum– Sports arena in the heart of Rome. Housed 50,000 spectators for Rome. Housed 50,000 spectators for Gladiatorial events.Gladiatorial events.

Pantheon– originally a pagan temple. Known Pantheon– originally a pagan temple. Known for its massive sense of space and oculus.for its massive sense of space and oculus.

Triumphal ArchesTriumphal Arches

Arch of Titus

ColiseumColiseum

ColiseumColiseum

PantheonPantheon

Why did they build Why did they build “spaces”?“spaces”?

Romans were Romans were concerned with the concerned with the space created by a space created by a building and not just building and not just the mass of the the mass of the structure.structure.

The more space = The more space = the bigger the empirethe bigger the empire

Art of the Roman PeriodArt of the Roman Period

Emphasis on realistic portrayal (Emphasis on realistic portrayal (verism)verism) Sculpture = Introduction of Busts of Sculpture = Introduction of Busts of

ancestors and rulers (patricians)ancestors and rulers (patricians) Portrait sculptures of rulersPortrait sculptures of rulers Relief sculptures (mostly high)Relief sculptures (mostly high) Painting = Frescoes most dominantPainting = Frescoes most dominant

Subjects = Religious and SecularSubjects = Religious and Secular

Head of a Romanc. 80 BCE, marble, 14" h

Patrician w/ Busts of His ancestors c. 30 BC

Marcus Aurelius

FrescoesFrescoes

Detail of fresco

Pompei, Italy

1st c. BCE

Herculaneum with Artemis