Roman Architecture
The Roman society, like any other, had its humble beginnings. The history of their architecture runs virtually in step with the history of their empire to an extent. As the Empire expanded so did the architecture, and as Romans became more magnificent their architecture followed. Roman architecture had its humble beginnings as a form of worship. The first Roman architects were the ancient priests and dwellers who made areas of sacrifice and worship for their gods. At first, their homes were simple huts but as they grew smarter and more aware of their surroundings, they erected monumental sites for their gods. '"This space shall be for worship and for nothing else; it shall be four-square; ... whatever is done or said in this holy space the gods shall be aware of; whatever comes ... shall be a sign from the gods.'" (Brown 10) So, like many arts, Roman architecture's roots are embedded in the worshiping and homage paid in religion. The Romans were, of course, not the first to unveil and practice many of their building philosophies; however, they built like no other society before them. Their methods incorporated efficiency and sophistication to construct a whole new look. So with the rise of the Romans and the ever
Roman architects, more than anything, remembered the past and planned for the future. They incorporated knowledge from those before them and created a marvelous society with new building principles. The concept of the arches, vaults and domes, and the greatness of structures like the Pantheon and the Coliseum have had their hand in the architectural styles of every builder since the Romans. The Romans' greatness as builders and as people is unquestionable; their impact will forever be a constant. Unlike many smaller Roman cities, Rome did not have a very orderly layout. As the population grew, eventually reaching one million, the city extended its limits and added public works. Two of the revolutionary systems used in Rome were the aqueducts and the sewer system. The aqueducts, which were built by the Roman army, supplied water to the ever-growing population. They were huge cement edifices, which carried water along their tops. The underground sewers were an intellectual marvel at the time. Another popular feature of Rome was the public baths located around the city. These were public buildings with huge open-air rooms inside where people would bathe and exercise. The great vaulted roofs still stand today over what once was the baths. Public tombs were also customary for nearly all residents, even slaves. Depending on one's stature in society, one could have various structures erected. Emperors and senate members constructed huge mausoleums with monuments. The common people were cremated and their ashes were kept in small niches with a plaque. Wheeler, Morimer Sir Robert. Roman Art and Architecture. New York. Frederick A. Praeger, Publishers. 1964. The durability and beauty of the Roman's arches, vaults, and domes speak for themselves two millenniums after they were built. In many instances, the vaults and foundation arches are all that is left of ruins. Up until the nineteenth century, arches and vaults were the only methods, other than post-and-lintel, for spanning space between walls and piers, and for constructing ceilings. Their appeal and widespread use up to this day, is due largely to their durability and efficiency, as evidenced by the Roman architects. Rivoira, T. G. Roman Architecture. New York. Hacker Art Books. 1972.
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Approximate Word count = 3460
Approximate Pages = 14 (250 words per page double spaced)
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