The Colosseum, Rome by Sung Rae Kim-Pixabay.

Ancient Roman Architecture: 15 buildings and structures that will blow your mind


 

The Romans are said to have largely copied the Greeks in architecture, but they were equally innovative and that’s what makes ancient Roman architecture distinct. They largely exploited the use of the arch, the vault, and the dome, features that are conspicuous in most ancient Roman structures.

The main styles employed by ancient roman architecture were Corinthian, Doric, and Ionic. The three are classical architecture. Doric is the first style, recognizable by columns and the entablature. Ionic style is characterized by the use of volutes, while the word ‘Corinthian’ describes an ornate column style in ancient Greece.

 Some of the famous Roman architects included Marcus Vitruvius, who worked for Julius Caesar, and Apollodorus of Damascus. Roman architecture spans from 509 BC to about the 4th century AD. It influenced styles used in Western Europe later on. Centuries on, some of the grandiose designs and buildings established by the Romans still stand in full splendor. Here are 15 of them that will blow your mind!

The Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon, dome by Axel Saly-Pixabay.

Built-in Rome from around 117 to 138 CE/AD, and possibly under the instruction of the emperor Hadrian, the Pantheon is a temple of wonders. It showcases one of the most grandiose uses of the dome, typical of ancient Roman architecture. Interestingly, the word is Greek, to mean ‘all the gods’.  From a frontal approach, it does appear like a Greek-style temple, with a low podium leading to a porch. The pediments are lower in its width.

There’s a circular building to the rear, measuring an impressive 43 meters in diameter. Above this circular building is a magnificent dome, 43 meters in height.  To light up the space below, there’s a 9-meter wide oculus, or opening, set in the ceiling. The lower sections of the dome are made of stone, the middle sections of brick, and the top of concrete. The Pantheon is a beautiful blend of traditional Greek and Innovative Roman architecture.

Fun fact; the Pantheon’s design has been copied by the Capitol building in Washington.

Colosseum

The Colosseum, Rome by Sung Rae Kim-Pixabay.

This is the largest and most popular ancient Roman architectural monument, built in 72 Ad during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. It was the largest and most impressive amphitheater of its time, and to date, it attracts scores of visitors who come to adore its designs. The Colosseum had an approximate area of 620 by 523 feet.

At the time of its completion by Vespasian’s son Titus in 80 AD, it had a seating capacity of over 50,000! It was so grand that as many as 80 different entrance points were put up. It is also claimed that its opening ceremony, one of the most breathtaking spectacles lasted for about 100 days. The Colosseum is where thousands of animals and gladiators fought to their deaths in the gladiator games held there by the Greeks. It is still a top tourist attraction in Rome.

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Diocletian’s Palace

A section of Diocletian’s Palace by TimeTravelRome-Wikimedia Commons.

Built by Roman Emperor Diocletian during his reign, this palace is one of the most marvelous buildings of royal significance in Roman history. It is claimed that he built it as a retirement place, and interestingly, he was the first Roman emperor to voluntarily retire citing health reasons. The palace spans about 215 meters from east to west, and the walls are about 26 meters high.

The architects incorporated different building styles over the ages, to create a blend of a new, and unique look. During the Middle Ages, it was used by Christians as a cathedral, and this helped maintain its structural integrity through that period. Currently, Diocletian’s Palace is one of the most popular archeological attractions in Croatia. It has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO too.

Amphitheater, Nimes

Arena of Nimes by Krzysztof Golik-Wikimedia Commons.

Built in the city of Nimes, this was one of the largest amphitheaters at the time when the city was known by the name of Nemausus. Caesar Augustus began to populate the city around 20 BC, and he wanted to give it a Roman state kind of look. Nimes had a surrounding wall, several buildings, and this majestic amphitheater at its center.

The amphitheater, also known as the Arena of Nimes, had a capacity of about 24,000, making it one of the largest in Gaul. During the Middle Ages, a small fortified palace was built within it and around 1863, it was remade into a huge bullring. To date, it is still used to host bullfights.

Aqueduct of Segovia

Aqueduct of Segovia by WikimediaImages-Pixabay.

This is one of the most well-preserved ancient Rome architecture. It is located in the Iberian peninsula, built around 50 AD. The purpose of its construction was to facilitate the flow of water from the River Frio to the city of Segovia. It covered a 16-kilometer stretch structure built using thousands of giant granite blocks. An estimated 24,000 blocks. Impressive to say the least.

The architects built 165 arches, measuring over 9 meters in height, making the aqueduct one of the grandest structures in the region. Notably, they did not use any mortar in its construction. Having undergone wear and tear over the years, it was reconstructed during the 15th and 16th centuries. Again in the 1990s, several conservation actions were undertaken to preserve the monument.

Maison Carree

A section of the Maison Caree by H2K4-Wikimedia Commons.

This is the only temple constructed during ancient Rome times that is still standing to this day! One of the best preserved, and a marvel to see. It was built around 16 BC in the city of Nimes, by Roman General Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. He built it in memory of his two sons who had died young. The Maison Carree stands proudly at 15 meters in height and runs along a length of 26 meters.

It almost replicates a Tuscan-style Roman temple. The façade has a deep portico almost thrice the size of its length and is greatly decorated with columns and capitals. Above the columns, the architrave is separated from the frieze with egg-and-dart decoration. The frieze is adorned with ornamental relief of carvings of rosettes and leaves and dentils.

During the 4th Century, it was turned into a Christian church. This move saved the Maison from neglect and deterioration that threatened to tear down many other Roman monuments and structures. Over the years, its purpose has evolved, being used as a town hall, a storehouse, and currently, a museum.

Pont Du Gard

Pont du Gard by Ira Gorelick-Pixabay.

This is also an aqueduct built in ancient Rome during the first century AD. It translates directly to the Gard Bridge and is located in present-day southern France. Just like the Aqueduct of Segovia, it was built using no mortar, just blocks of massive, finely cut stones. It is a three-story wonder built by fitting together well-cut stones, each weighing about 6 tonnes.

The bridge measured up to 360 meters in height at its highest point. It stretched over 50 kilometers in length. The aqueduct supplied water to the city of Nimes, and it showcases an impressive feat by ancient Romans in contemporary engineering and hydraulics. The Pont du Gard was used as a conventional bridge during the Middle Ages, until the 18th century.

Temples of Baalbek

Temple of Bacchus, Baalbek by Vgrass-Wikimedia Commons

Located in present-day Lebanon, Baalbek is one of the largest, most prestigious, and best-preserved Roman temple complexes built in the ancient Rome period. The first of the Baalbek temples were built in the first century BC, followed by three more over the course of two centuries. The three were dedicated to the gods Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus, in that order.

The Temple of Jupiter was the largest, with 54 massive granite columns, each one about 21 meters tall. Only 6 of these columns have survived to this day, but you can still see the magnificence of the Baalbek temples through them. Following the fall of Rome, the temples were subjected to plunder, war, and natural disaster. Their remains however still hold the majestic aura and thousands of people visit the famous Baalbek Temples every other year. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Library of Celsus

Library of Celsus by David Mark-Pixabay.

Located in the Ephesus Archeological site in present-day Turkey, this was originally a monumental tomb built for Gaius Julius Celsus, a famous former governor of the city of Ephesus. His son, Galius Julius Aquila ordered its construction. It was commissioned in the 110s A.D. The structure is supported by a nine-step podium, measuring 21 meters in length. These lead up to three front entrances, each surmounted by large windows.

The interior consisted of a rectangular space measuring 17 meters by 11 meters with a central apse.  It has beautifully carved interiors and amazing exterior designs and is considered an architectural marvel. The east-facing façade is built of marble and decorated with botanical carvings. The architecture is typical of the style prevalent during the rule of Emperor Hadrian. It was also a repository for important documents, housing over 12,000 scrolls at the peak of its use. What is still in sight from the building is an impressive façade with amazing decorations and relief carvings.

Arch of Septimus Severus

The Arch of Septimius Severus by Aymen Aiblu-Wikimedia Commons.

This is an impressive white marble triumphal arch in Rome, constructed in 203 AD. The Romans built it in celebration of their victories over the Parthians under the rule of Septimius Severus. After successfully quelling a civil war among its neighboring states, Rome, under Severus declared war on the Parthian Empire and crushed them. The Roman Senate, in recognition of his outstanding wins at war, had this beautifully decorated triumphal arch erected on his return to Rome.

It was raised on a travertine base, and the arch is about 23 meters in height and 25 meters in width. There’s a staircase on the south pier, leading to its top. The ornamentation is very specific and grand, showcasing the victory over the Parthian empire. Prisoners of war are shown on the pedestals nearest to the ground floor. The architects put up a bronze gilded inscription as an homage to Septimius and his sons, Caracalla and Geta for expanding the Roman Republic. Despite being ravaged by harsh weather and destruction, it still stands as a reflection of the once-grand Roman republic.

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The Severan Basilica

The Severan Basilica ruins by Sasha Coachman-Wikimedia Commons.

The Severan Basilica is the second most famous monument in Lepcis, after the Arch of Severus, built in 216 AD. It is part of the Severan forum, enclosed by a temple to the Septimius family in the Southwest, and by the Severan Basilican in the northeast. It measured about 95 meters in length and 35 meters in width. It was divided into three naves, and these were separated from each other by columns made of Egyptian purple granite. There were two apses at the two ends, with elevated platforms. These are thought to have been used by magistrates, suggesting that among other civil functions, the Basilica was used for legal hearings.

When the Arch of Severus was offered to the emperor Septimius Severus for his victories for Rome in 203 CE, he responded by offering the Basilica. There’s an inscription on its architrave that details how he started its construction. There’s also a part that describes how his son and successor. Caracalla completed the construction.

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Ara Pacis Augustae

The front of Ara Pacis by Rabax23-Wikimedia Commons.

The Ara Pacis is an altar in Rome dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. It is a remarkable work of art, with intricate decorations portraying various meanings. It was commissioned by the Roman Senate on July 4, 13 BC in honor of the return of Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, after 3 years in Hispania and Gaul.

The Ara Pacis consists of an open-air altar at its center, surrounded by walls pierced on the eastern and western ends. These are finely sculpted in Luna marble. The altar was carved with several images illustrating the law governing rituals performed in it. These included animals being led to sacrifice, ox skulls, and garlands bearing fruits. There are images of the emperor’s family, priesthood, scholars, and members of the public in procession.  The Ara Pacis has been considered more symbolic than it is decorative, with every image communicating the religious and civil setup of ancient Rome.

Originally, it was located in the northeastern corner of the Campus Martius, one of the most populous areas of ancient Rome and a former floodplain of the Tiber River. It gradually became buried under 4 meters of silt and was later reassembled in its current location. It is now located at the Museum of the Ara Pacis, designed by American architect Richard Meier, becoming the first architectural intervention in the historic center of Rome. It is built in steel, travertine, and glass, and the wide glazed surfaces offer a clear view of the altar. The building was opened to the public on 21 April 2006, after 7 years of work.

Pula Arena

Pula Arena by Serein-Wikimedia Commons.

The Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheater, largely built between 27 BC and AD 68. It is located in Pula, in present-day Croatia, and is the country’s best-preserved ancient monument. It is among the world’s largest surviving Roman arenas. At the time of its construction, the city of Pula was a regional center of Roman rule. It was first built in timber, and this was during the time of Augustus. It was then replaced by a small stone arena during the reign of emperor Claudius and by 79 AD, it was enlarged to accommodate gladiator fights by Vespasian.

The amphitheater’s exterior wall is built in limestone, with the part facing the sea consisting of three stories. The rest has only two stories, as it was built on a slope. The highest point in the wall is 29.40 meters. The first two floors have each 72 arches, and the top floor has 64 openings. The arena could hold about 23,000 people. The field where the games took place measured about 67.95 by 41.65 meters, and it was separated from the spectators by iron gates. In total, the arena had 15 gates, and a series of underground passageways. It could also be covered with large sails when it got too sunny.

Over the years, it has been restored and presently, the arena is used as a venue for many events and concerts. It has a capacity of about 5,000 and is open to the public daily. Some of the performances held here include Michael Bolton, Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Arctic Monkeys, and Elton John, among many others. It has also been used for cinematic works such as Titus, a 1999 adaptation film of Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy ‘Titus Andronicus’.

Trajan’s Forum

Trajan’s Forum by Maksym Kozlenko-Wikimedia Commons.

The Trajans’ Forum is a breathtaking monumental complex built between 106 and 112 AD. It was the last series of public squares to be built in ancient Rome. The famous architect, Apollodorus of Damascus was in charge of its design and construction. The emperor Trajan ordered its construction using the spoils of war from the conquest of Dacia in 106 AD. Due to its massive layout, extensive excavations were required. Over 300,000 cubic meters of soil and rock were dug up and dumped outside the Colline Gate.

The Forum had a series of open and enclosed spaces. The main entrance was at the south end, through a triumphal arch. This was intricately decorated with friezes and statues of Dacian prisoners. It was then flanked by tall walls built from marble blocks. The open space of the Forum was about 300 feet by 380 feet and was paved entirely in Carrara marble. To the east, lay the three-story Trajan’s market, on the north was the Basilica Ulpia and north of that was a small piazza with a temple dedicated to Trajan.

Presently, only a section of the markets and the column of Trajan remain, but the aura of imperial Rome is still visible.

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Baths of Caracalla

Baths of Caracalla. Photo taken from the south-west side by Ethan Doyle-Wikimedia Commons.

The Baths of Caracalla are Rome’s second largest Roman public baths, after the Baths of Diocletian. They are estimated to have been built between AD 212 and 216, during the reigns of emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla. They covered approximately 62 acres, and the complex was rectangular, measuring 337 meters by 328 meters. A considerable excavation was done, and several million bricks were used in construction.

The baths are estimated to have a capacity of about 6,000 bathers at a single time. They had at least 252 columns, with 16 having a height of over 12 meters.  There were a series of tunnels of water, heating the baths, and sewers to facilitate the overflow of water. The tunnels were lit by windows, which also allowed the circulation of air. The baths also had a public library on the interior, with two separate rooms, one for Greek and the other for Latin texts.  During the 5th century, they were considered one of the 7 wonders of Rome.

The architecture used in their construction inspired several modern structures such as the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa and St. George’s Hall in Liverpool. The Baths have also been used as a concert venue, it hosted the Rome Grand Prix in 1947 and 1951 and the 1960 Summer Olympics. The ruins are now a popular tourist attraction, and they are open to the public at a fee.