Architecture

Roman Architecture Amber Monks 6th period history 12-2-08

During the time of its height in power, the Roman Empire excelled in many scientific and mathematical areas, one of those being Architecture. The aspects and construction methods that were used, along with the advancements that they made, set the Romans apart from other groups in this area. Their contribution of the column, arch, and dome also helped them to create great buildings such as the Colloseum and the Pantheon, both architectural amazements. The technology that they brought about would set the foundation for building, even in modern times, all around the world.

Before the Romans, the building styles were much different-post and lintel-which limited the weight a building could be constructed and span of arches and supports. As an alternative to this technique, the technology that the Romans used use used columns and arches to support and to build. Types of columnshincluded the Doric style, the ionic style, and the Corinthian type. The Doric was the most basic, plain, and simplistic style of the column, but it was able to support massive, heavy, buildings that were in need of strong enforcement. The Ionic style was a bit more attractive then the Doric and boasted decorations in some areas while still being able to support the same type of structure and be under the same amount of weight as the Doric style was. The Corinthian type a very fancy and beautiful column that showed off decorations in “fine details and size”. The Corinthian type was “far more impressive then the other columns in appearance”. Arches, along as serving a purpose to make a place structurally beautiful, further aided support of large buildings; eventually, they led to the development of the equally as beautiful domes. Domes were used in many to increase structural beauty in many roman buildings such as the Pantheon (unrv)

A few good examples of these techniques and materials in use are the Pantheon and the Colosseum. The Colosseum was a center for gatherings such as one for Inauguration games-it held 50,000 people and it was so carefully constructed that it is estimated that all 50,000 could get through an exit in about three minutes. It was also constructed of corbelled brackets to hold on an awning to shade the seats, three quarter columns for decoration only, and it was made of stone, brick, and concrete coved in stucco and secured by lead and bronze clamps. (Stevenson) The Pantheon held the largest dome built for 1800 years (unrv) which was 142 feet wide. It was created out of brick, stone, and concrete, a material key in the Roman advancements (made from pozzolana mixed with limestone)(oldandsold). It still exists today.

Their technology was so advanced that similar designs are used today in buildings such as those in Washington, DC. Their state-of-the art constructions were often used for centers of commerce with other areas. The Romans, by creating advanced Architectural, such as the columns, domes, and arches, the Romans were able to show their power and their knowledge to the rest of the world.(oneonta)

Sources: Stevenson, Neil Architecture New York City, New York DK publishing Company 1999

http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth200/politics/roman_architecture.html 12-3-08 (no other information was provided)

http://www.unrv.com/culture/architecture.php 2008 12-3-08 (no other information was provided)

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles22/architecture-24.shtml 1921 12-3-08 (no other information was provided)

http://homework.syosset.k12.ny.us/webprojects/AncientRome/Welcome/architecture_of_ancient_rome.htm Latin, Thomas H.B.12-4-08

http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/learning_modules/maths/02.TU.03/img/IM.1470_zl.jpg 12-6-08 (no other information was provided)