ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

A. Geographical Influences

The comparative simplicity of the long coastline of the Italian Peninsula forms a strong contrast to the
complexity of the indented coastlines of Greece and the innumerable islands of the Archipelago. Much of the
country is mountainous, but it is not broken up into isolated valleys as in Greece. These clearly marked
geographical differences between the countries of the Greeks and the Romans have their counterpart in equally
clearly defined differences of national character.

The central and commanding position of Italy in the Mediterranean enabled Rome to act as an
intermediary in spreading art and civilization over Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. In their Empire-
building, the Romans first conquered by war, dominated by force of character, and civilized by arts and letters. It
was also natural that, under different geographical conditions, the methods adapted by Rome for extending her
influence should have differed from that of Greece. The Romans were not a seafaring people like the Greeks, and
did not send out colonists in the same way to all parts of the then-known world; they depended for the extension
of their power, not on colonization, but on conquest. The Roman Empire was ultimately not confined to Italy, but
included all those parts of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia which constituted the then-known world.

B. Geological Influences

The geological formation of Italy differs from that of Greece, where the chief and almost the only building
material is marble; whereas the Romans had marble, terra-cotta, stone, and brick, all of which they used even for
important buildings. The building material, however, which led to great structural innovations was concrete
formed of pozzolana, a clean sandy earth which has the property, when mixed with lime, of forming exceedingly
hard and cohesive concrete which rendered possible some of the finest examples of Roman architecture.
Roman architecture, as it spread over the Empire, was naturally influenced by the materials found in the
widely differing localities where it planted itself; but concrete, which in conjunction with brick and stone facing
was the favourite material, helped to give uniformity of style to Roman architecture throughout the Empire.

C. Climatic Influences

North Italy has the climate of the temperate region of Europe, Central Italy is genial and sunny, while the
south is almost tropical. This variety of climatic conditions is sufficient to account for the diversity of
architectural features and treatment in the peninsula itself, while the differing climates of the various Roman
provinces, from England to North Africa, and from Syria to Spain, produced local modifications in details,
though Roman architectural character was so pronounced and assertive as to leave little choice in general
design.

D. Religious Influences

The religion of ancient Rome was part of the constitution of the State, and even the worship of the gods,
which were adopted from the Greeks under Latin names with attributes to suit Roman religious requirements,
was eventually kept up only as a matter of State policy. The Emperor ultimately received divine honours, but the
position of the Emperor as Pontifex Maximus is rather indicative of the glorification of Empire than of religion,
and officially stamped its character even on temple architecture. Thus, the principal buildings are not only
temples as in Greece, but also public buildings which were the material expression of Roman rule and Imperial
power. Ancestor worship was a recognized part of religious rites, hence every house had an altar to the Bares
or family gods.

E. Social Influences

The social life of the Romans was clearly revealed in their architecture – there were thermae for games
and bathing, circus for races, amphitheatres for gladiatorial contests, theaters for dramas, basilicas for lawsuits,
State temples for religion, and the “domus” for the family life, while the Forum was everywhere the center of
public life and national commerce. Amidst all this diversity of pursuits, one thing was consistent through all
Roman life, and this was that capacity for obedience which was the basis alike of Roman society and the State.
The patria potestas or supreme authority of the father, was the foundation-stone of family life, and out of their
obedience to authority, wether to the head of the household, or to censors in the state, the Romans developed
their capacity as lawmakers, and through this one characteristic they left a special mark on the world’s history.
F. Historical Influences

In early times, Etruria in the center of Italy was occupied by the Etruscans, probably an Aryan people who
appear to have settled there before authentic history begins, and who were great builders. The Greeks had
colonies in the south which were included under the name of Magna Graecia.

The foundation of Rome is of uncertain date, but is generally taken as B.C. 753 and its government until
about B.C. 500 was in the hands of chosen kings. Rome became a Republic in B.C. 509, engaging in many wars
and conquering several Etruscan cities. The Roman conquest of Italy began about B.C. 343, which in about
sixty years resulted in the dominion of one city over many cities. Then followed wars with peoples outside Italy.
Sicily became the first Roman province, followed by Carthage in North Africa. The conquest of Macedonia (B.C.
168) and of Greece (B.C. 146) added two more provinces to the Roman Empire, and also stimulated the
importation of Greek art and artists into Italy. Greece, in its turn, formed a stepping stone for the Romans to
Western Asia which became a Roman province in B.C. 133. With the conquests of Syria (B.C. 190) and Spain
(B.C. 133), the Roman Empire extended from the Euphrates to the Atlantic, while Caesar’s campaigns (B.C. 58-
49) made the Rhine and the English Channel its northern boundaries. In B.C. 30 Egypt was added to the Empire,
and in A.D. 43 Britain became a Roman province.

The need for a centralized government with which to rule distant provinces resulted in the formation of
the Empire. Octavius was the first to receive the title “Imperator” and that of “Augustus”, afterwards used as a
surname by all Roman Emperors. The Augustan age was one of the great eras in the world’s history, like the
th
Periclean age in Greece, the Elizabethan age in England, and the 19 century throughout Europe. At such
epochs a new spring seems to well up in national and individual life, vitalizing art and literature. It was indeed
the boast of Augustus that he found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble. Following Augustus were
a long line of Emperors, of whom Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Septimus Severus, Caracalla, and Diocletian
were the greatest patrons of architecture.

Later, when the Empire had reached its greatest extent, discontent at the center and barbarian attacks on
the frontiers led to that weakening of authority which led to its decline and final fall. Constantine removed his
capital to Byzantium in A.D. 324 as a more convenient center for the extended Empire, but in A.D. 365, the
Roman Empire was divided into East and West under two Emperors, and the year A.D. 475 marks the end of the
Western Roman Empire when Odoacer became the first king of Italy.
 Roman Architecture
Early Influences-The Etruscans

 The Earliest civilization in the region around Rome were the Etruscans.
 The Etruscan civilization existed in the northern part of what is now Italy, prior to the formation of the
Roman Republic.
 During the 700s BC, the Etruscans developed into a series of autonomous city-states: Rome was a part of
these city states.
 The Etruscans created the first visible civilization in Italy.
 They brought sophisticated Eastern and Greek culture to the region. Not much has survived of Etruscan
buildings to the present however.
 The Etruscans were notable for the use of the true and “radiating arch”. They were great builders.
 The temple shown in the image is a reconstruction of a typical Etruscan temple. Etruscan temples were
oriented to the south.
 The Etruscans introduced another order of architecture. This order, known as the Tuscan order became
popular with the Romans.

Typical Etruscan temple:

 The Tuscan order had a simpler base and the shaft was without flutes.
 The capital and entablature were also without decoration.
 In proportion it is similar to the Doric order with a column that is seven diameters high.
 Compared with the other orders, the Tuscan order looks the most solid.

Engineering Achievements

 Romans created what can be referred to as a structural revolution. This revolution centers on their
understanding and use of the arch and vault.
 They also discovered the groin vault.
 Because of this structural revolution, they were able to span large openings in buildings and other
structures with economy and strength.
 They were also able to design and construct buildings with large interior spaces.
 The revolution also allowed the Romans to construct large engineering structures such as bridges to
connect all parts of their empire, and aqueduct to supply water to their cities.
 The arch was not a new building form, as it had been known by other civilizations including the Egyptians
and the Greeks. But the Romans used it to its fullest potential.

Structural Innovation-Arches
 The arch is an organic structure with the elements of the arch resting on each other and transferring load
to the column.
 It was particularly useful over doors and openings.
 With an arch, there are no tensile stresses as all the forces are in compression and building stone has
enormous compressive strength.
 Up to a certain point also, the more an arch is loaded the stronger it becomes.
 Arches were used over doors and openings and sometimes, they are built over a lintel to deflect the load
to the surrounding walls.
 Vaults
 Vaults are used to cover an area as a roof.
 The simplest of the vaults is the Barrel vault, which is just made up of an arch extended over a certain
distance.
 It can be adapted to suit different types of plans by making simple modifications to it.
 The disadvantage of the vault is that it exerts a continuous load and therefore needs some form of
continuous support.
 It is also difficult to light the space under a vault except from the ends.
 The Romans invented unique ways of overcoming these difficulties.
 The cross vault was created from the barrel vault to overcome some of the problems of the ordinary vault.
 This is formed by intersecting two barrel-vaults at right angle and is called a “groin vault”.
 The weight of the groin vault is concentrated at the corners eliminating the need for continuous support.
 The opening of the space in 4 directions means that ample light can be provided to the area below it.

 The image shows an example of the use of arches, vaults and groin vaults in a Roman building.
 The major limitation of the groin vault is that it is limited to a square plan.
 Dome
 The dome was another structure that was used in roman architecture.
 The Romans used the true dome with its fully rounded perfection.

Concrete
 The Romans were the first to develop concrete.
 The concrete developed by the Romans is different from modern concrete and is made up of lime, sand
and water.
 Around the 2nd century BC, Pozzolana or volcanic ash was also added.
 Concrete did away with the need for stone quarries.
 It also did away with the need for the shaping and transportation of stone and for high skilled labor for
stonemasonry.
 Concrete has the advantage that it can be cast in any shape and in far larger sizes than the megalithic
blocks of stone used in buildings.
 With concrete, it was possible to construct monolithic vaults and arches.
 Concrete buildings were normally faced with other materials to hide the ugly look of the concrete.
 Fired brick used as formwork was the most popular covering material.
 Roman Architecture
Although the Romans have borrowed much of the Greek style, they have used their own knowledge in construction to
improve the arch and vault for the architectural community.
Some of the many achievements the Romans used in the nature of their architecture are the arch, dome, vault, column,
and aqueduct. By reaching these feats the Romans were able to create many impressive building and structures.

Architectural Character

General Characteristics
 Special importance for the internal space.
 Integral view of the art combining:
• Beauty and sumptuosity with
• Utility and practical sense
 Buildings are integrated in the urban space.
 Romans needed interior space for worship, whereas the Greeks worshipped outside.

Building Systems
 Post-and-lintel construction
 Copied from the Greeks
 Spaces are closed by straight lines
 Arch and vault construction
 Taken from the Etrurian
 Use of arches
 Barrel vaults and groin vaults
 Domical construction or use of domes
 Strong walls so that they do not use external supports.
 General Characteristics: Building Techniques

Opus incertum Opus testaceum Opus reticulatum

Opus spicatum Mortar in the foundations Barrel Vault

Building materials and tools
 The Romans used many materials to create everything from masonry pastes to walls and flooring.
 These are a few of the materials used: Chalk, Sand, Pozzolanic Concrete, Broken Pottery, Pumice
Stone, Lime, Sandstone, Marble, Granite, Wood, Terracotta, Ceramics, Tin, Iron

Foundations
 The Romans built their foundations out of compact subsoil and sometimes even rock.
 The foundations of Roman buildings were often 2 to 3m thick.
 Often when the ground was damp floor boards would be placed on short pillars allowing the ground
beneath to dry out.
 In important public buildings, small clay pipes and vent were placed in the walls to form a sort of
chimney.
Floors
 In ancient Rome floors were normally constructed out of wooden structures and boards.
 The floor boards were laid over cross beams that rested on supports from the surrounding walls.
 For extra comfort wooden floors were often covered in straw and then covered over with mortar. When
this is done the floors can even be tiled.
 Roofs were made out of wooden trusses supported by the walls and covered in tiles.

Plans
 Regular and symmetrical.
Temple
 It copied the Greek model.
 It is rectangular in plan.
 It has only one portico and a main façade.
 It tends to be pseudoperipteral.
 The cella is totally closed.
 It is built on a podium.
 Instead of having stairs all around, it only has them in the main façade.
Theater

Amphitheater
 It comes from the fusion of two theatres.
 It was the place for spectacles with animals and fights (gladiators).
 It could be filled with water for naval battles.
 Circus
 It was a building for horse races and cuadriga competitions.
 It has a central element to turn around, the spina.

Domestic Architecture
 Entrance to a home was an atrium . This was a large hall entered through a corridor from the street,.
 An open compluvium (skylight) which let in rainwater and sunlight
 Rainwater was collected in a sunken basin in the floor (impluvium) and channeled off into a cistern

Palaces
 These were the residence of the emperor.
 They consisted of a numerous series of rooms.
 Their plan tended to be regular.
 Baths (Thermae)

Walls
Techniques to create walls:
 Opus reticulatum- a form of brickwork that consists of diamond shaped tufa blocks and applied with
mortar. Fine joints were in diagonal lines like the meshes of a net.
 Opus incertum- constructing technique that uses irregular shaped uncut rocks that are applied with
mortar. It is made up of small stones laid in a loose pattern roughly assembling the polygonal work.
 Opus mixtum- application of diamond shaped tufa blocks and bricks that are applied with mortar. The
bands of tufa were introduced at intervals in the ordinary brick facing or alteration of rectangular blocks
with small squared stone blocks.
 Opus Quadratum – made up of rectangular blocks of stone with or without mortar joints but frequently
secured with dowels and cramps.
 Opus Testaceum – made up of triangular bricks (in plan) especially made for facing the walls.

Material combinations in walls:

 Walls were made in one of these ways:

ASHLAR MASONRY BRICK

Temple walls
 Romans needed interior space for worship, whereas the Greeks worshipped outside.
 Their solution was to extend the walls outward, creating engaged columns, while maintaining the same
basic shape.

Openings
 Usually arcuated (semicircular-headed).
 The arch was said to be invented by the Romans, however the arch has been around since prehistoric
times.
 Modified by the Romans, the arch during this times could support large amounts of weight.
 The arch was used to provide extra structure for a building and was constructed out of brick, stone, or
concrete.
ANATOMY OF THE ARCH

Roofs and Ceilings

 Roofs were made out of wooden trusses supported by the walls and covered in tiles.
 Used dome and vaults (barrel vault and groin vault).
 Ceilings were usually coffered.
 Domes and Vaults

Columns
 The basic column was made out of wood or stone and mortar, while more decorative ones were hand
carved.
 They made the Tuscan order developed by the Etruscans; very popular in use .
 They developed the Composite order.
 They developed the giant order which spans up to two storey and the miniature order used to decorate
windows.
 The Romans also contributed in the development of the Triumphal arches. Triumphal arches were
constructed in Roman cities to celebrate victories in battles.
 Greek shapes assimilation:
 Architectonical orders were used more in a decorative than in a practical way.
 Order superposition
 The use of orders linked to the wall created a decorative element.

TUSCAN ORDER COMPOSITE ORDER

Mouldings (Refer to notes on Greek Architecture.)

Ornament
1. Mosaic (commonly used)
2. Wall paintings (fresco paintings)
3. Acanthus leaves (favorite ornamental motif)
4. Statues in niches (niche crowned with pediment) and on pedestals
5. Equestrian statues (a Roman invention reproduced throughout history)
6. Reliefs

Roman Painting
 Paintings depicted realistic representations of mythical themes, historical events, and landscapes.
 Murals in atria (singular, atrium), large airy rooms, were commonplace.
 Frescoes gave the impression that viewers were looking out into actual gardens (trompe l’oeil, or “fool
the eye”).
 Still life styles were also common.

Roman Sculpture
 Emphasized Roman victories: triumphal arches and victory columns (obelisks redesigned in Roman
style).
 Sculptures of Roman emperors, in realistically detailed Roman breastplate and idealized faces and
proportions .
nd
 Equestrian statues were added in the 2 Century BCE.
 Emphasis on realism was evident in balding senators and matronly women.
 Fig leafs in nude male statues were a Roman invention after conversion to Christianity.

Roman Town Planning

 The typical Roman city of the later Republic and empire had a rectangular plan and resembled a Roman
military camp.
 It had two main axes
 Cardus E-W
 Decumanus N-S
 Where the two converged was the forum.
 The rest of the space was divided into squares in which insulae or blocks of flats were built.

 The most important part of the city was the forum, where political, economic, administrative, social and
religious activity were centred.
  Main buildings were in this forum.
 In big cities there were theatres, circuses, stadiums, odeons.

Architectonic Typology

Roman Architecture has a rich typology that includes:

 Religious building:
Temple
 Civil buildings:
1. Public:
a. Basilicas
b. Baths
2. Spectacles:
a. Theatre
b. Amphitheatre
c. Circus
3. Commemorative:
a. Triumph arch
b. Column
4. Domestic:
a. House
b. Village
c. Palace
5. Funerary:
Tombs
 Engineering works:
1. Bridges
2. Aqueducts

Architectural Examples:
A. FORUM – an open space used as a meeting place, market or rendezvous for political demonstrations.
Examples:

Forum Romanum – the oldest and most important. The architect was Vitruvius.
 Forum of Trajan, Rome – the largest. The architect was Apollodorus of Damascus.

B. RECTANGULAR TEMPLES – used pseudo-peripteral style (half of the columns attached to the naos
walls); raised in a podium; oriented towards the south.
Examples:
Temple of Fortuna Virilis, Rome
Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome
Temple of Diana, Nimes
Temple of Vespasian, Rome
Temple of Jupiter, Spalato
Temple of Saturn, Rome
Temple of Venus, Rome
Maison Carree, Nimes

C. CIRCULAR & POLYGONAL TEMPLES – derived from the temples of the Greeks and the Etruscans
which became the prototype of the Christian baptistery.
Examples:
Temple of Vesta, Rome – the most sacred shrine and the source of Roman life and power.

Temple of Venus, Baalbek

 The Pantheon, Rome – the most famous for perfect preservation of all ancient buildings. It is
now a Christian church named Sta. Maria Rotunda. The architect was Apollodorus of
Damascus.

D. BASILICAS – halls of justice or assembly hall.

Examples:
Trajan’s Basilica (Basilica Ulpia), Rome – built by Apollodorus of Damascus.

Basilica of Constantine, Rome – also known as the Basilica of Maxentius or Basilica Nova. The
largest building in the Roman forum. Building was started by Maxentius and completed by
Constantine.
E. THERMAE – a palatial public bath.
Three Main Parts:
1. Main Building Central Structure with Chief Apartments
a. Tepidarium – warm room
b. Caldarium – hot room, or with hot water bath
c. Frigidarium – cooling room
d. Sudatorium – dry sweating room
e. Apodyteria – dressing rooms
f. Palaestra – for physical exercises
g. Unctuaria or Untoria – place for oils and perfumes
h. Spaeresterium – game room

2. Xystus or Public Park with Avenues of Trees – a large open space with trees, statues
and fountains. Part of it was used as a stadium for foot-racing and other athletic sports.

3. Outer Ring of Apartments

a. Lecture rooms
b. Exedrae
c. Colonnade
d. Large reservoir

Examples:
Thermae of Caracalla, Rome – with a capacity of 1,600 bathers.
Thermae of Diocletian, Rome – the largest with a capacity of 3,000 bathers.
Thermae of Titus, Rome
Thermae of Grippa, Rome

F. BALNEUM – a private bath in Roman palaces and houses containing the tepidarium, calidarium and
frigidarium.
Example: Hadrian Villa summer bath

G. THEATERS – Roman theatres were built up by means of concrete vaulting; supporting tiers of seats;
and was restricted to a semi-circle.
Examples:
Theater of Marcellus, Rome
Theater Orange

H. AMPHITHEATERS – used for gladiatorial combats; elliptical in plan.

Example:
The Colosseum, Rome – known as Flavian Amphitheater. It was commenced by Vespasian
and completed by Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian. It was
the largest amphitheatre of the Roman empire and the largest amphitheatre in the world.
I. CIRCUS – for horse and chariot racing.
Example:
Circus Maximus - an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue
located in Rome, Italy. It was the largest stadium in ancient Rome. The architect was
LuciusTarquinius Priscus.

J. TRIUMPHAL ARCHES – erected to commemorate victorious campaign of emperors and generals.

Examples:

Arch of Tiberius, Orange

Arch of Titus, Rome

 Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome

Arch of Constantine, Rome

K. PILLARS OF VICTORY OR MONUMENTAL COLUMNS – erected to record victories of generals,

especially over conquers of lands.
Examples:
Trajan’s Column, Rome – it commemorates Roman emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian
wars. It was probably constructed under the supervision of the architect Apollodorus of
Damascus. It is located in Trajan's Forum, built near the Quirinal Hill, north of the Roman
Forum. Completed in AD 113, the freestanding column is most famous for its spiral bas relief,
which artistically describes the epic wars between the Romans and Dacians. The structure is
about 30 metres (98 ft) in height, 35 metres (125 ft) including its large pedestal. The shaft is
made from a series of 20 colossal Carrara marble drums, with a diameter of 3.7 metres
(11 ft). Inside the shaft, a spiral staircase of 185 stairs provides access to a viewing platform at
the top.
 Rostral Columns – frequently erected in the time of the emperors to celebrate naval victories,
and took their name from the rostra, or rows of captured ships.

L. TOWN GATEWAYS & ARCHWAYS

Three Main Types:
1. As a protective wall and commemorative monument.
2. As ornamental portals to forum or market places.
3. Arch built at main street intersection and were colonnaded.

Examples:
Porte S. Andre, and the Porte d’Arroux, Autun
Porte De Mars, Rheims
Portico of Octavia, Rome – by Augustus

M. PALACES
Examples:
Palaces of the Emperors, Rome
Golden House of Nero, Rome
Palace of Diocletian, Spalato – the largest palace and often called “a city in a house”. It covered
a total of 8 acres, almost the size of Escorial, Spain.

N. ROMAN HOUSES
Three Types of Roman Dwellings:
1. Domus or private house – the center of family apartments.
Typical Parts of a Domus:
a. Prothyrum or entrance passage
b. Atrium or entrance court – open to the sky and at the center is the “impluvium”, a water
cistern collector.
c. Tablinum or open living room
d. Peristyle – an inner colonnaded court with garden
Examples:
House of Livia, Rome
House of Surgeon, Pompeii
e. Cubicula or bedroom
f. Oecus or reception room
g. Alae or recesses for conversation
h. Kitchen and pantry

2. Villa or Country House – a luxurios country house with surrounding terraces and gardens,
colonnades, palasestae, theatres, and thermae.
3. Insula or Apartment Block – many storeyed tenement called “Werkmen’s Dwelling”.
O. AQUEDUCTS – used for water supply, with smooth channels or “specus” lined with hard cement and
carried on arches in several tiers.
Examples:
Aqua Marcia, Rome - it was the longest of the 11 aqueducts that supplied the city of ancient
Rome. The still-functioning Acqua Felice from 1586 runs on long stretches along the route of the
Aqua Marcia.

Aqua Claudia, Rome – built by emperors Caligula and Claudius.

P. BRIDGES OR PONS – simple, solid and practical construction designed to resist the rush of water.
Examples:
Pons Sublicius, Rome - The earliest known bridge of ancient Rome, Italy. Its construction was
ordered by Ancus Marcius.

Pons Mulvius or Pons Milvius, Rome - the site of the famous Battle of Milvian Bridge.

Bridge of Augustus, Rimini – also called Ponte d’Augusto. Construction work started
during Augustus' reign and was finished under his successor Tiberius in 20 AD; an inscription
thus calls the structure as "given by both emperors".
 Q. FOUNTAINS – the striking features of ancient and modern Rome.
Two Types:
1. Lacus or locus – designed similar to a large basin of water.
2. Salientes – similar to a large basin of water with spouting jets.

TERMINOLOGIES:

Aqueduct. A structure in the form of a bridge that carries a canal across a valley or river.
Cella. The inner room of a classic Roman temple containing the shrine or statue of the god. It is the
equivalent of the Greek temple’s naos.
Podium. A small raised platform or a low wall forming a foundation or base for a colonnade.
Pilaster. A vertical structural part of a building that projects partway from a wall and is made to resemble
an ornamental column by adding a base and capital.
Oculus. An architectural feature that is round or eye-shaped, e.g a round window, a round opening at
the top of a dome, or the central boss of a volute.
Portico. A porch or covered walkway, often leading to the main entrance of a building, that consists of a
roof supported by pillars or columns.
Drum. A band or other structure around the bottom of a dome or circular ceiling that supports it.
Rotunda. A round building, usually covered with a dome.
Coffer. An ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome.
Groin. A curved line forming the edge between two intersecting vaults.
Barrel vault. A ceiling in the shape of a half cylinder.
Quoin, coign. A block forming a corner, especially when it is different in size or material from the other blocks
or bricks in the wall.
Veneer. A thin outer layer applied to a surface for decoration or protection, e.g. a facing of stone on a
brick building.
Ashlar. Ashlar is finely dressed masonry, either an individual stone that has been worked until squared
or the masonry built of such stone.
Buttress. A solid structure, usually made of brick or stone, that is built against a wall to support it.
Pier. A vertical structural support. It is a pillar, especially a rectangular one supporting the end of an
arch, lintel, or vault.
Pedestal. A base or support for a column or statue.
Odeum, odeon. An ancient Greek or Roman building in which musical performances were held.
Niche. A recess in a wall, especially one made to hold a statue.
Thermae. Hot springs or baths, especially the public baths of ancient Rome.
Balneum. Small Roman bath. For therapeutic bathing, especially in natural mineral spring water.
Caldarium. The hot room in an ancient Roman bath.
Tepidarium. The warm room in an ancient Roman bath.
Frigidarium. The cold room in an ancient Roman bath.
Sudatorium. A room, especially in an ancient Roman bathhouse, in which people are made to sweat by hot
air or steam.
Natatio. The swimming room in an ancient Roman bath.
Mosaic. A picture or design made with small pieces of colored material such as glass or tile stuck onto a
surface.