The Romans were effective conquerors who created a unified national identity across regions through architecture and construction. To support their grand vision, Romans innovated new building materials and techniques. They invented concrete, which allowed larger structures, and developed arched and vaulted designs that distributed weight efficiently. The dome also provided new possibilities. These innovations enabled monumental structures like aqueducts, baths, amphitheaters, and arches that dominated the landscape and consolidated Roman power.

1. Engineering an Empire
Innovations in Conquering

2. Innovation Required
• The Romans prove themselves to be effective conquerors, more
effective than any other culture we have studied thus far.
• The Romans will create a unified national identity across many
regions, including Egypt, the ancient Near East, and Western
Europe. To do this, they build!
• Roman dominance will be reflected in the imposing structures
engineers build, in the expansive spaces artists create.
• But in order to build architecture that reflects a ROMAN
worldview, Romans need to invent new materials and new forms
that will support the grandeur of the Roman vision.

3. Concrete
• Concrete is a mixture of
limestone and small stones.
• When dried, it creates a
unified form, as seen in the
image (in gray). A unified
form is more strong than a
form made up of many parts
(like mortared bricks).
• Concrete allows the Romans
to build larger structures that
can withstand more weight.

4. Roman Arch
• The physics of the rounded
arch allow the arch to hold
more weight, so structures
become larger and taller.
• The physics of the arch
thrust weight down the
jambs, causing a lateral
push that could cause the
arch to bow out and
collapse.
• So buttressing is required.
The Roman arch requires a
lot of support material.

5. Vaulted Arches
• An arch can be extended along a line.
• A barrel vault is the space created by an extended arch.
• A groin vault is created by two intersecting barrel vaults. They buttress each other, allowing the Roman
engineer to take out the bulk of the barrel vault. The groin vault also allows for a clerestory, bringing
in light to an otherwise dark channel.

6. Hemispherical Dome
• An arch can also pivot on
itself 180 degrees to create a
continuous dome.
• The hemispherical dome
cannot withstand being
punctured, so an oculus (an
architectural eye) at the top of
the dome brings in light.

7. So Now What?!
• Throw together the invention of concrete, the arch and its vaulted
spaces, and the dome, and the Romans have the tools (along with
past influences) to create structures that reflect their dominance in
the ancient world.
• These structures dominate nature (unlike Greek structures that
tried to be in harmony with the natural landscape).
• These structures also create space where no space existed (like the
sphere in the Pantheon).
• These structures also support a growing population that is subject
to a lineage of Emperors.

8. Aqueduct
• Brings water to city
centers
• Allows city
populations to grow
• Supports a social
network of public
baths
• A public works
project that reflects
the Emperors
provision for the
empire

9. Public Baths
• A location of congregation for
both men and women
• Many baths also included
libraries, concert
halls, gymnasiums for training
and exercise
• Provided the emperor with a
reputation for providing for his
people

10. Amphitheater
• A public arena used for
both civic gathering and Flavian
popular athletic events Amphitheatre, Rome, It
aly
• Provided the emperor
another opportunity to
gain a reputation for
providing for his people
• Also important in
creating a sense of
unified community
through entertainment

11. Triumphal Arch
• A public monument displaying
the triumph/s of an emperor—
military victories, deification
• Filled with inscriptions in the
attic
• Filled with friezes and or
medallions in relief (for the
illiterate)
Constantine’s Triumphal Arch,
Rome, Italy

12. Engineering an Empire
Innovations in Conquering