Roman Architecture

1. Roman Architecture
(300B.C.-A.D. 365) (preceded by Etruscans Circa 750-100B.C.)
By-
Ar. Aakritee Arya
History of Architecture- II
School of Architecture
RGPV, Bhopal

2. Formation & Development
• Etruscans- Early settlers of west- central Italy
• Ancient capital Rome was founded near river
Tiber which was protected by seven surrounding
hills.
• Centrally located in Europe and very
mountainous.
• Under the geographical differences, the Greek
and Roman architecture although look similar but
has developed with different characters.
• The Romans had the ideology of conquering first
and then ruling by law.
• Roman culture spread over Europe, Western Asia
and Northern Africa which later on came under
Roman Empire.

3. Formation & Development
• Climate- North part has temperate climate but south is totally tropical and central part is cordial and cheerful.
• Religion- Religion was fusion of different cultures but mostly influenced by Etruscan culture.
• In course of time Roman gods acquired the same characters as Greek gods
• Unlike Greeks , the Romans had no strong religious feelings.
• Romans paid more attention towards construction of public buildings.
• Ancestor worship was a part of ritual and every house had an altar for family gods.
• Society- Romans were empire builders.
• They constructed many roads for their army and chariots leading to Rome.
• Stadiums, Ampi-theatres and circuses were constructed since they were skilled sportsmen.
• Their love for justice gave rise to Basilica ( Court of Justice).
• Their love for luxury is evident from Thermae, which is the palatial baths of Imperial Rome.

4. Building Materials
• The building materials of early Italy centered in Etruria.
• The main building materials used were-
• Iron- from islands of Elba
• Copper
• Stone- eg.- Tufa, peperino, Hard limestone, sand & gravel.
• Timber
• Terra-cotta
• Bricks
• Lime concrete- Use in gigantic buildings for vaults, domes, walls, roads etc.
Formed with stones, bricks or rubble and mortar which had
pozzolana.
• Pozzolana- Volcanic earth which is substituted for sand and mixed with
lime to produce very good strength and has the property of setting under
water. Crushed tiles were also added sometimes.
• The Roman concrete was formed out
of mortar and rubble finally
compressed in alternate layers which
differs from present dry concrete.
• In imp. Buildings face was covered
with, plaster, alabaster & marble.

5. Etruscan Architecture
• The Etruscans were directly responsible for many of Rome’s cultural
as well as building developments.
• The towns were neatly planned on grid-iron system with broad
streets, water supply and drainage.
• They used readily available soil to make bricks and tiles.
• Houses built up of sundried bricks, wooden roofs covered with terra-
cotta tiles.
• They introduced the radiating arch and invented the new order of
architecture namely the Tuscan Order.
• The city walls were cyclopean style but polygonal work was
sometimes used like Greeks.
• No mortar was used.
• Temples were built on tombs which were decorated with figures of
lions and tigers.
Characteristic Features-
The Cloaca Maxima,
Rome
The Arch of
Augustus,
Perugia
temple of
Jupiter
Capitolinus,
Rome

6. Roman Architecture
• The Romans followed the columnar & trabeated style of Greeks as well as the Etruscan’s arch and vault.
• Use of lime concrete started which helped in new construction system of extended use of vaulting.
• Main characteristic is the capacity to span over large spaces.
• Arch, Vault and dome were the key notes to the system of Roman Architecture.
Characteristic Features-
Types of
Vaults used
by Romans-
Semi Circular Vault or barrel
vault over rectangular
structure.
Cross- Vault formed by intersection of
two semi- circular vaults of same span
used over the same apartment.
Cupolas or hemispherical dome
used over circular structure.

7. Roman Architecture
• The Majestic buildings were in accordance to their imperial power.
• The buildings were several storeyed and frequently ornamented by half
attached columns superimposed one above the other.
• The sideways thrust exerted against the walls by the heavy concrete vaults
was sustained by hemi-cycle or niche which was the best form of buttress.
• Concrete vaults were often lightened by coffers or recesses on the
underside.
• Lime Plaster was used outside the walls and vault and marble stucco
within.
• Marble was rarely used throughout the wall, rather marble mosaic was
used to some for composite walls, vaults & floors in pictorial patterns.
• Many structures were utilitarian type such as aqueducts and bridges.
• For ornamental work they employed Greek artists.
Characteristic Features-
Coffered dome of Pantheon
Types of Roman Mouldings

8. Roman Classical Orders
Name of Roman Order Height of Columns in terms of lower Diameter Height of Entablature in terms of lower Diameter
Doric 8 2
Ionic 9 2 ¼
Corinthian 10 2 ½
Composite 10 2 ½
Tuscan 7 1 1/3

9. The Roman Doric Order
• The order is taken from Theatre of Marcellus at
Rome. The theatre is semi-circular in plan.
• Columns- It has a base unlike the Greek Doric order.
• The column height is 8 times its lower diameter ‘D’.
• Base is Semi- diameter high, and consists of a simple
square block and ‘torus’ with convex profile. Above
it is a band of bead moulding and fillet.
• Shaft has 16 to 20 flutes with sharp arrises. It ends
in circular moldings called Astragal.
• Inter-columniation is 2 ¾ D. Entablature is 2D high.
• Architrave is ½ D high with taenia at top with regula
below it with 6 guttae under each triglyph.
• The architrave doen’t project beyond the face of
column but lies in the same plane with it.
• Frieze is ¾ D high and
contains triglyph and
square metopes.
• Cornice is ¾ D high and
contains either matules or
the dentils and
accordingly it is termed as
Mutular and Denticular.
• It is the oldest order but
was little used by Romans.
Theatre of Marcellus at Rome

10. The Roman Ionic Order
• The order is taken from Temple of Fortuna Virilis at
Rome located near the bank of river Tiber.
• Columns- The column height is 9 times its lower
diameter ‘D’.
• Base is Semi- diameter high, and consists of upper
and lower torus separated by scotia and fillets.
• Shaft has 20 flutes separated with fillets.
• Inter-columniation is 3 D.
• Distinguished by volute capital enriched with carved
ornaments.
• Entablature is 2 ¼ D high.
• Architrave is 5/8 D high is richly decorated. It has 4-5
raised slabs projecting one above the other.
• Frieze is flat with continuous band of sculptures. ¾ D
• Cornice is 7/8 D high
containing cymatium &
corona.
• The cymatium is enriched
with acanthus leaves &
water spouts at regular
intervals in shape of lion
head.
• The semi- circular
moldings lack in
refinement.
• The order is overloaded
with heavy ornaments.

11. The Roman Corinthian Order
• The order is taken from Temple of Castor and Pollux at
Rome (7 B.C.-A.D. 6).
• Columns- The column height is 8 times its lower
diameter ‘D’.
• Base is Semi- diameter high, and consists of a simple
square block, upper and lower ‘torus’ separated by scotia
& double bead.
• Shaft has 24 flutes separated with fillets (1/3 of flutes)
• Inter-columniation is 2 2/3 D and tapers to 5/6 D at top.
• The capital is 1 1/6 D high.
• Entablature is 2 ½ high and has architrave which consists
of 3 fascias separated by ornament moldings.
• The Cornice is 1D high, enriched with acanthus leaves &
water spouts at regular intervals in shape of lion head.
• The entablature & capital
are highly ornamented.
• This order was largely
used in Temples, Forums,
baths and Bascilica.
Temple of Castor and Pollux

12. The Roman Composite Order
• It is called Composite order because its capital is
composed of Ionic and Corinthian Orders.
• This order was used in Trimphal arches.
• Columns- It is 10 D high and similar to Ionic and
Corinthian in treatment.
• It has an attic base- consists of square block, upper
and lower torus molding separated by scotia and
fillets.
• It has circular shaft with 24 flutes separated by fillets
• Architrave is ¾ D high and divided into two facias
separated by small moldings.
• Frieze is ¾ D high and richly ornamented with a
continuous band of sculptures.
• Cornice is 1 D high supported by dentils.
• The capital is combination of
volute of Ionic capital and
acanthus leaves of Corinthian
order.
• The capital has two rows,
each of eight acanthus leaves.
• This is the most decorative
order.

13. The Roman Tuscan Order
• Invented by Etruscans. It is named after Tuscany in Italy.
• It is Simplified form of Greek Doric Order.
• The order is taken from the famous colonnade that leads to
the Church of St. Peter’s at Rome.
• Columns- Height is seven times the diameter.
• Base is semi-diameter high and consists of a plain square
block and simple torus.
• The circular shaft is unfluted or plain.
• The capital is semi-diameter high and consists of square
abacus and ovolo echinus.
• The entablature is 1 ¾ D high and consists of architrave (1/2
D), frieze (1/2 D) and Cornice (3/4 D) which are plain and
doesn’t have any ornamentation.
• The moldings are simple & consists of straight lines and
circular arcs. Colonnade to St. Peter’s Church at Rome

14. Typical Examples of Roman Architecture
1. Temples-
Temples were both rectangular as well as circular.
In rectangular type, the temples are twice as long as
its width with a prototype portico in the front.
Rectangular Temples- Temple of Mars, Venus, Saturn at
Rome; Temple of Jupiter, temple of Bacchus at Baalbek,
Temple of Diana at Nimes.
Circular Temples- Temples of Vesta, The Pantheon at
Rome.
2. Forum-
It is similar to the Agora of Greeks and is usually
situated at the intersection of two main streets around
which law courts and public buildings are placed.
Used as open air assembly or a market or for political
discussions.
It was the index of high civic life and clear indications of
well laid out town- planning.
Ex- Forum of Caesar, Forum of Augustus, Forum of
Trajan which consist of tiers of shops and market area.
Temple of Saturn at Rome The Pantheon at Rome
Forum of Trajan

15. Typical Examples of Roman Architecture
3. Basilicas-
The term comes from Greek word meaning
Royal. So, it may have come to Rome from
Hellenistic Regal pomp.
They are known as Halls of Justice. They were
also used for commercial services.
The usual plan is rectangular twice as long as
its width with apsidal ends.
Ex- Basilica of Trajan, Rome.
4. Pillars of Victory-
These were monumental
towers erected in honor of
the Emperors and Generals
to commemorate the
victorious events.
Ex- Trajan’s Column, Rome.

16. Typical Examples of Roman Architecture
5. Thermae
• Greek Thermos = Hot
• Palatial Public baths of Imperial Rome
• Built over high platforms enclosed with massive walls and
equipped with heaters and service rooms.
• Central hall with main apartments on its cross axis such as
‘tepidarium’ or warm room, ‘calidarium’ or hot room with hot
water baths and ‘frigidarium’ containing unheated swimming
bath.
• Served as club or meeting space for socialites.
• Ex; Thermae of Caracalla, Rome

17. 6. Amphi-theatres
The Colosseum, Rome
• It was built for the common people and not the Emperor.
• No use of Mortar.
• The design was tailored to both crowd and animal control.
• Egg shaped building.
• Four tiers of seating.

22. Typical Examples of Roman Architecture
6. Amphi-theatres
7. Circuses
8. Triumphal Arches
9. Aqueducts
10. Bridges.
11. Roads
12. Sewers
13. Fountains

23. • Thank you