Roman Architecture

Q: What is Roman architecture known for?

Roman architecture is known for concrete-domed buildings, the innovative use of the arch, the amphitheatre design, the basilica, the triumphal arch, and residential apartment blocks.

Q: How would you describe Roman architecture?

Roman architecture can be described as an innovative combination of designs and materials that created new types of buildings which were impressive both from the outside and the inside. Roman buildings are often well-built, practical, and beautiful.

Q: What are the most famous buildings of Roman architecture?

The most famous surviving buildings of Roman architecture include the circular Pantheon in Rome, the Colosseum in Rome, the Pont du Gard aqueduct in southern France, the Maison Carrée temple at Nimes, Hadrian's Wall in northern England, and the House of the Vettii villa at Pompeii.

Q: Why was concrete important to Roman architecture?

Concrete was important in Roman architecture because it was a light but strong material that permitted the construction of large ceilings like the domed roof of the Pantheon in Rome. Concrete was also much cheaper than stone blocks and was used as a facing for walls which had rubble interiors.

Q: What is the legacy of Roman architecture?

The legacy of Roman architecture is that innovations in materials can lead to innovations in designs that test the very limits of physics. Particular types of Roman buildings which still influence architecture today include the amphitheatre (sports stadiums), the basilica (churches), insulae (apartment blocks), and arches (bridges).

Mark Cartwright

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Article:	Roman Architecture
Author:	Mark Cartwright
Narrator:	Nitin Sil

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Nitin Sil

You only have to be around me for a minute before you can figure out I'm a fan of history. It was only a natural extension to begin podcasting about it. This website for me is all about finding kindred souls who enjoy what history has to offer.

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Mark Cartwright

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

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Uploaded by Mark Cartwright, published on 14 March 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.

Roman Architecture

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