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The Highs of Ancient Rome Architecture

Ffion Collins
Nov 8, 20243 min read

Roman architecture, the legacy left after the Roman Empire, respond to the changing practical needs of Roman society. But roman design is more than just crumbling ruins – it lives on in modern architecture to this day. 


Even though the ancient Greeks, Etruscans, Egyptians, and Persians may have provided some of their earliest concepts, the Roman architects revolutionised architecture by creating buildings that the world had never seen before, as well as public buildings, roads, and infrastructure that was accessible to all social classes. The Pax Romana period, which lasted more than 200 years and during which the Roman Empire neither expanded nor was invaded, is considered the pinnacle of Roman architecture. Rome thereby produced some of the most significant architectural improvements that are still in use today between 27 BC and 180 AD. The most impactful area of architecture was how they revolutionised the use of columns, arches and domes.


Columns


While the Roman’s columns were influenced by the ancient Greek designs but they evolved over the years to include unique features. The three main types of Roman columns are:


  • Doric: The simplest of the three, Doric columns have a plain capital and don’t have a base. They are sturdy and were commonly used in temples.

  • Ionian: Known for their scroll-like capitals and elegant design, Ionian columns stand on a base and are more decorative than Doric columns.

  • Corinthian: The most ornate type are Corinthian columns are characterized by elaborate capitals adorned with leaves. They are commonly used in grand buildings and monuments.


These types reflect the Romans' ability to adapt and build upon existing architectural styles.


Arches


The core element of Roman architecture is the arch. The Romans were the first to properly utilise the arch's possibilities, even though they did not create it. Arches distribute weight more evenly than other methods used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, enabling the construction of larger and more intricate structures. Along with domes, vaults, and concrete, arches were essential components of the Roman architectural revolution, which resulted in some of the most famous buildings ever built and had a long-lasting influence on Western architecture.


The Romans constructed freestanding arches as monuments in addition to using them for structural purposes. The accomplishments of emperors and commanders were honoured by these triumphal arches. These arches grew more ornate during the imperial era, frequently embellished with intricate sculptures that portrayed the esteemed emperor and his actions. The arches of Titus, Septimius Severus, and Constantine are notable examples in Rome.


Domes


Although they did not create domes, the ancient Romans improved the methods for constructing them, created a wide range of designs, increased the size of the domes they could construct, and gave them a wide range of purposes and interpretations.


Scholars are familiar with many of the significant structures they worked on, including public bath complexes, tombs, and imperial residences. However, it is likely that domes were also affixed to innumerable other buildings that were lost long before their characteristics were sufficiently recorded. These consist of private baths, eating rooms, nymphaea, and smaller tombs. Rome undoubtedly has the greatest concentration of historic domes in one city.



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