Roman architecture

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 D oric 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 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.

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

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