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Roman colosseum architecture and engineering
Essay roman architecture
Architecture: important elements of roman architecture paper
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The Roman Empire rose to power in about 27 B.C. and lasted until 410. During this time, Roman influence reached its height and Rome established a lasting legacy in the history of western civilization. One aspect of the Roman legacy is their architectural achievements. Roman engineering and architecture stand out as some of the most marvelously sophisticated for the time, with the variety of structures they built and the means of construction. Roman architecture went through a golden age beginning in 27 B.C. and lasting until about 180 A.D. when the Empire began to decline. During this golden age, the Romans built coliseums, an intricate road network, aqueducts, and bathhouses. Many examples of these structures still stand today, a testament to Roman architecture genius. From among these four architectural achievements of the Romans, the best remembered is their road network (McCarty 120). The Romans designed their roads to last and, at the same time, to withstand both military and civilian traffic. They succeeded so well that some of these roads still function today, such as the Via Appia or Appian Way (see fig 1), which leads from Southern Italy to Rome (Boatwright 86). Most Roman roads started out as simple well-used tracks and paved much later. The Romans paved their roads by first adding a layer of crushed rock and rubble to the flat surface. This layer of debris was useful in providing a sturdy foundation and providing drainage for rainwater. Next, the Romans added a thick layer of sand and clay to the layer of debris. The final layer consisted of cut stone slabs (Giovanni). The Romans always wanted their roads to follow the shortest and straightest route. Sometimes this desire to build a straight and short road warranted extreme measures such as when the roads cut across swamps or through hills. Remarkably, the Romans could build tunnels to
Rome had many architectural buildings that we know of today. Many Roman building ways were copied right from how the greek people use to do theirs. Though they copied Greek style, they came up with their own style. They used many arches, some arches were used to show the wealth of a person, the fancier, the wealthier. Roman people made aqueducts. Aqueducts were able to bring the city of Rome, running water. One of the most famous aqueducts would be the Pont Du Gard, it ran for thirty miles and supplies twenty thousand gallons of water to th...
In Rome the buildings were constructed under Roman Empire. The Roman Colosseum was constructed between 69 to 79 CE by the Vespasian emperor, The Circus Maximum was built in the 2nd century B.C by the high emperor, in 31 B.C the fire destroyed it that led Emperor Augustus to rebuild the Circus in 82 AD, Ludus Magnus was a gladiatorial training school in Rome and it was originally built between 81-96AD by Emperor Domitian. The emperor’s theme was large public stone buildings that would bring the people of Rome together and also the emperor was rich and they had manpower. The emperors also patron towards the workers and also to prove that they are the great leaders. The emperors had money, a lot of workers to build the buildings to the Emperor’s satisfaction. The buildings were used by the public as entertainment where they would go and watch all sorts of races & fights.
“Many European cities still bear reminders of the power of ancient Rome, and throughout the western world the influence of Roman power is still manifest.” “As the Roman Empire expanded Roman architects struggled to achieve two overriding aims: to demonstrate the grandeur and power of Rome, while also improving the life of their fellow citizens.” They held the Greeks in high regard for both their sculpture and architecture, learned stonework and pyramid architecture from the Egyptians, and absorbed important techniques from the Etruscans. To that end, the Romans perfected three architectural elements: concrete, the arch, and the vault. These three elements helped lighten the load carried by Roman structures while maintaining overall durability.
Some would say that the Roman Empire was at it’s height during the rule of Augustus because it was a time of Pax Romana. During this time, the empire saw many advances particularly in architecture and engineering. It’s cities were connected through roads that were built for, “first and foremost moving armies and secondarily, for moving goods and people” (Cole and Symes 133). These roads gave them a military advantage that helped evade enemies by allowing their troops to move around quickly. Trade was also easier
Have you ever felt insignificant while standing in front of a monumental building that you have seen in small images of your history book? No one could imagine the atmosphere and physical beauty inside the most beautiful structures in the world, the Pantheon and the Florence cathedral. While sitting at the fountain in front of the Pantheon, one can see the huge columns rising towards the entablature and the walls curving behind to form a cylinder. Although the exterior of the pantheon could look majestic, the interior is just as breathtaking. The first thing someone does when they enter the Pantheon is to look up at the coffered dome and the oculus. The important feature that seemed impossible to have been built during the time that the Pantheon
Roman houses evolved from the thatched-roof huts of the original roman civilization to the great villas of the late empire. Roman houses were not only built in Italy. There were Roman houses built in Greece, Africa, and Britain.
The Roman Colosseum was a spectacularly built amphitheater, with monumental architecture and size. Even though the Colosseum was created more than 1500 years ago, it is still the largest amphitheater in the world. The height of it measures almost 150 feet, with four different stories (www.ancient.eu). The building, also, has some of the most unique and ancient architecture in the entire world. Rectangular windows line each floor of the Colosseum, which used to hold statues or vegetation.
In the Roman Empire roads begin to emerge throughout the city for the military to make haste to defend its city from enemies. The roads where essential for the growth of the empire, originally for the troops they soon began to use the roads for trade goods and communicating news to its neighbors. Roman roads varied from simple roads to the better paved roads that had cuts the stone to allow water to flow though while keeping the road itself dry. Rome had so many roads at one time that it was said all roads lead to Rome.
The Romans discovered many things that would aid the construction of their great civilization. The Romans discovered that a particular mixture of volcanic rock rubble and water could be used to create very strong structures; their concrete mixture could even be used in underwater applications. The Romans used concrete to make foundations for large buildings as well as bridges. They also used concrete as mortar to hold together the stones that made up roads, walls, and bridges. The Romans discovery of concrete allowed them to build very large structures that have survived many centuries.
It was so much more advanced than any empire that came before this time. Romans took a lot of pride in their their buildings and architecture and many of the structures they used back then are still used today, like columns and arches. The Romans used columns and arches in structures like the colosseum and the Circus Maximus, both which were buildings where gladiatorial games or chariot races were held. These structures are still used today, for example, you can see these structures at one of the most famous buildings in the United States, the White House. The architecture from the roman era has impacted modern day by giving us structures to add into our cultures and to important buildings around our
The rise of the Roman Empire also led to significant innovations in the technology and techniques used in building roads. The Romans built roads in all regions they conquered and used roads as their main transport avenue for military and economic purposes. Roman roads were characterized by their straightness and the use of hard stones as the primary building materials. The roads were built all across the Roman Empire, connecting cities across North Africa and Europe. The first use of tar in the construction of roads was recorded in the ancient regions around Baghdad and is dated to the 8th century AD.
However, none of this is to say that the Roman Empire was not a great empire, It had many great qualities that kept it alive from 27 B.C. up to its fall in 477 A.D. That’s 504 years. If the Roman Empire were not strong, it wouldn’t have survived all those years. Accomplishments from the Roman Empire include aqueducts, bridges, the Silk Road, and Christianity. These achievements were left behind in its legacy which is still alive
The Romans also excelled in the highly practical art, architecture. The Romans were the first people in antiquity to use concrete on a massive scale. By using concrete in their new architectural designs, the Romans were able to construct huge buildings, bigger than the Greeks ever could have dreamed of.
Aside from the complete megalomaniacal conquest of the then known world (certainly, something not unique in concept to Rome), Rome still managed to achieve a greatness of invention and creativity that still lives today. The use of “paved” roads, vaults, the Roman Arch, and the groined vault were inventions which remain a core in many architectural designs today. The dome of the Pantheon rivals the domes of Islam, and was the inspiration for Michelangelo in his creation of St. Peter’s Basilica. The structural layout of Roman cities and the Roman forums equally inspire the world of today.
From the time of the ancient Greeks all the way to modern day, some part of humanity has almost always been interested in the past. For the ancient Greeks, it was discovering Mycenaean ruins and composing stories about them. Today, inspiration is still drawn from classical architecture. One has to look no further than the U.S. capitol building, or even the University of Michigan's Angell Hall to see remnants of this architectural style. This raises the question of why does it still persists? Logically, the best way to answer this is to examine the origins of classical architecture, and what it represented then and now. Furthermore, the study of ancient architecture can show insights into past civilizations which otherwise would have been lost.