Roman Architecture: Building Materials

Brick

Romans perfected the art of brick-making

Concrete
Perfected this material Became the most characteristic material in Roman structures Was used to construct massive walls and great vaults
Ancient Greek and Roman Architecture
Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp
Topics



Prehistory: The Etruscans Roman Characteristics Building Materials Architectural Ideals Structural Revolution Structures Civic Architecture Tombs

Roman Architecture: Architectural Ideals

Space
To the Romans, the space inside a structure was just as important as the exterior Interior space was the primary focus of Roman architecture and was shaped by vaults, arches, and walls


Roman architecture emerged from Hellenistic and Etruscan influences It held many original aspects, however
Materials and building techniques Fulfilled practical purposes
Roman Architecture: Prehistory: The Etruscans

Etruscan civilization
Preceded the Roman Empire in Italy Most of their architecture was destroyed by the Romans


Romans were fond of extravagance

Architecture for the powerful was gaudy and colorful, not like the ruins as seen today
Roman Architecture: Structural Revolution


Romans absorbed the Greek culture
Literature, philosophy, science, and painting New appreciation of the arts

Roman Architecture: Roman Characteristics


Only hidden structures, such as tombs, were spared
Much of their architecture was greatly influenced by the Greeks The legacy of Etruscan architecture lives on through its influence in Roman architecture


Served commerce, industry, and shipping

Байду номын сангаас
Ports Roads Aqueducts
Roman Architecture: Building Materials

Building materials were very important to the success of Roman architecture

Roman Architecture: Structural Revolution

Access to a wide variety of building stone including:
Volcanic tufa Limestone Travertine


Nearly unlimited quantities of white marble
Quarry opened by Augustus north of Pisa Other varieties were imported from the Far East

Roman Architecture: Roman Characteristics

April 21, 753 B.C.

Pinpointed by the Romans as the day Rome was founded Lacking in artistic culture

Early Romans were militant and very disciplined
Egyptians and Mesopotamians had used primitive arch forms Greeks had experimented with the arch and concrete with little success Etruscans had constructed vault-like forms

The combination of arches, vaults, and concrete in architecture are a pure Roman creation

The individual elements had been used in earlier civilizations