---
title: Roman Opus Mixtum Wall
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/866/roman-opus-mixtum-wall/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Roman Opus Mixtum Wall

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

## Image File

[![Roman Opus Mixtum Wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/866.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/866.jpg)

## Image Caption

A segment of typical 2nd century CE [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) from [Butrint](https://www.worldhistory.org/Butrint/) (modern Albania). The wall is in the opus mixtum style which combined layers of opus testaceum (standard brick facing) with opus reticulatum (square-based [pyramid](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/) blocks set in a diagonal pattern). Beyond its obvious decorative appeal the technique may also have allowed less-skilled labour to build more quickly.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [John Peter Oleson. *The Oxford Handbook of Engineering and Technology in the Classical World.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199734852/)

## About the Author

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.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2012, August 23). Roman Opus Mixtum Wall. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/866/roman-opus-mixtum-wall/>
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Roman Opus Mixtum Wall." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 23, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/866/roman-opus-mixtum-wall/>.
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Roman Opus Mixtum Wall." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Aug 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/866/roman-opus-mixtum-wall/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 23 August 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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.