Rome
Ancient Rome Roman architecture admired for centuries. For a long time Greek and Roman architecture and art confused. After Winckelmann (1717-68), and other studies that followed his, Roman architecture came to be considered to be a degeneration of Classical Greek architecture. A true understanding of the Roman achievements in this field is of fairly recent date.
A. Prehistoric Italy c. 10,000 to c. 800 B.C.
Iron Age beginning c. 800 B.C. Individual cultures of different regions in Italy.
B. The Etruscan Period c. 800 to 100 B.C.
Probably came from Asia Minor. Strongest in 7th and 6th centuries B.C. on west coast of Italy.
C. The Roman Republican Period before 31 B.C.
Expulsion of Etruscan king from Rome by Latin tribes, 509 B.C. Gradual Roman consolidation of control over Italy and Western Mediterranean by 3rd century B.C. Conquest of Greece, 146 B.C., at fall of Corinth. Control of Asia Minor, 133 B.C., Syria, 64 B.C., Gaul, c. 50 B.C., and Egypt, 31 B.C.
A Roman imperial culture, based on Hellenistic, recognizable from 100 B.C. Internal political struggles during Republican period, ending with murder of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., and assumption of sole rulership by Augustus (Caesar Octavianus) in 27 B.C.
Rome, Forum Romanum, c. 50 B.C. and later
D. The Age of Augustus 31 B.C. to 14 A.C.
Civil wars from murder of Julius Caesar, 44 B.C., to battle of Actium, 31 B.C., and defeat of Anthony and Cleopatra. Conservative period. Greek influence strong. Period of Vergil (or Virgil), Livy, Horace, etc., with their reverence for tradition. "Rex Gestae" of Augustus recounting his building programs, "found Rome brick and left it marble." Activity of private builders. Roman architect Vitruvius wrote his ten books on architecture.
Nimes, Pont du Gard, 1st century B.C. (?) Nimes, Maison Carré, 1st century B.C.
E. The Julio-Claudian and Flavian Periods 14 to 98 A.C.
Pompei. Visit John Dobbins, The Pompeii Forum Project from Research Reports from the Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities (IATH) and The Architecture of Pompei: Public Sites
Influence of individual emperors.
Rome, Colosseum, 73-82. Take a virtual stroll of the complex Rome: Colosseum and Roman Forum
Rome, Arch of Titus, 81
F. The period of Trajan and his successors 98 to 235 A.C.
Period of peace and prosperity. Completion of programs initiated by Augustus. Beginning of decline of Roman dominance in Empire after death of Trajan in 117. Fewer major projects undertaken after death of Hadrian in 138.
Rome, Pantheon, c. 120-124
Tivoli, Villa of Hadrian, c. 123-124
Ostia, Houses
Rome, Baths of Caracalla, c. 127
G. The Period of Maximin and Constantine 235 to 337 A.C.
Anarchy following death of last Severan emperor in 235. Pressure of barbarian tribes from the North. Maxentius (306-312), the last of the pagan emperors.
Rome, Basilica of Constantine or Maxentius, c. 310-313
H. Triumph of Christianity in the 4th century
Persecution of Diocletian (303-304) and division of the Empire of Diocletian. Conversion of Constantine (Emperor 306-377) in 311. Edict of Milan, 313. Christianity established as State Religion, 337. Significance of Christianity for subsequent architectural developments.
General Characteristics of Roman Architecture
a) Multitude of building types. Many of them unknown prior to Roman times, i.e., thermae (public baths), basilicas, amphitheatres and circuses.
b) Roman buildings and layouts have distinct common traits:
1. Organized on a strict axial basis.
2. Axis usually related to a centre (the crossing of axes).
3. Use of internal space and "active" exterior space. (Spatial architecture as opposed to plastic architecture, i.e. Greek).
4. Space is considered as a substance, not a "left over."
5. Variety of forms covered by vaults and domes. The arch as a pervasive element.
6. Building technology makes use of brick, marble and concrete (opus caementicum). The latter is a Roman invention.
7. Use of Greek classical orders in a new way.
8. Roman architecture can be considered as an "international style" independent of particular geographical situations.
Last reviewed: August 2004