LESSON 3( HISTORY OF ARC, ARC 232)

Pantheon = This is the most perfect preserve buildings of the Romans. It is circular at the
back, both in form and on the roof- (called Rotends)

It has at the front 2 columns of 1.5m diameter at the base and 1,2m diameter at the top and
15m high. The rotends (the circular portion of the temple) is 44m in diameter and 42m high.
The circular wall is 5m thick. The structure of the dome is supported at the top level with brick
façade concrete, not solid but has its elaborate constructive system to take stress and strain. It
of the architectural note that the walls are in 3tiers at the top with a core on the outside which I
is the structural device to retain the weight of the dome and a step mercenary to prevent the
dome from slipping out. This is responsible for the saucer shape of the dome and also to reduce
the weight, a path is removed at the top to create the EYE which serves as one source of natural
lighting, this is an interesting and great device.

The Rotends( the main body of the church is 48m in diameter internally and the porch is 28m
deep and 30m wide. Research show that there was skillful alternate move of concrete having
different strength depending on the functions.

AMPHITHEARTRES – COLOSEUM ROME

The coliseum is an amphitheatre. This is where real combat between men and men or men and
animal take place. The could be for land or water combat. Where they for water combat, pipes
for flooding the area are provided. It is a big structure of 205m long and 171m wide and arena
oval in shape of 99m x 60m surrounded by a thick wall of 4.5m high and buttressed by podium
for sitting the state dignitaries. It can contain about 50,000 inspectetors.

Aspect of architectural note on the Coliseum is building of theater above the ground unlike the
Greeks who cut out theirs from the hills side. Also the vault carrying seats makes rooms for
useable spaces underneath.

The superimposition of classical order of architecture as against the Greek single order, this
means that the column did not go in one stretch upwards like the Greek will do, but are in tiers.

The Roman used certain material for the structures like, Larva for solid foundation, Tufa and
Bricks for supporting wall. Pumice stone for the vault to reduce weight. Travertine blocks laid in
courses with concrete mortar joint for walls. Marble for decoration, seats for ornaments and
columns.
 THE INFLUENCES OF THE GREEK ARCHITECTURE TO ROMAN

One of the influences is the use of lento and beams. The adoption of the work of gods under
lateen names led to the building of various temples dedicated to almost identical gods.

Greeks (zeus) Roman( Jupiter) description- superior God and ruler of sky

Greek -- Anthem Apollo ( gods of law,reason,art and poetry’

Roman --- minera Apollo( god of wisdom and learning.

Another influence is the shape of the temple. it will be noticed that most shape of the temple in
Greek era were rectangular surrounded by columns with the order of architecture. The Romans
adopted the pattern and applied it in their own temple. Also the use of large block without
mortar till the discovery of concrete. The Greek adopted this system from Mycenae
architecture and it continues to the roman architecture.

The building of public places like theme a basilicas, temples theatres etc was as results of
identical social and cultural life style on both the Greek and Romans.

Status was brought from Greeks and so wall niches were provided for the reception and
location on the Roman walls. They were either semi-circular headed or rectangular headed and
flank by columns supporting pediments.

It could be remembered that roman conquered Greeks and looted or acquired some of their
features of architecture; example of such niches could be seen on the walls of coliseum.

Roman introduced two order of architecture – the Tuscan and Composite orders having
adopted the idea of the earlier three (3) orders of architecture.

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ROMANS TO ARCHITECTURE

The type of the architecture of Romans were mainly of solid and monumental and this because
of the availability of concrete to Romans. This idea of monumentality of structures has
continuing till today. Diversity in building type applied in architectural design today started with
the Romans. The Romans were the first to introduced storey’s building of two to three tiers and
this has continue till today. The most important contribution of the Romans to architecture is
concrete; Romans we remembered had enough materials that easily gave them concrete mixes,
today concrete is widely used. Another major contribution can be seen in their engineering
works and fits. The Romans demonstrated this engineering fit in the construction of roads,
bridges, aqueducts etc. another important contribution is the introduction of “arc”. They were
formally using simple columns and beam system and later they introduced the arch and this has
been the most dominating features of roman buildings and structures in all the then roman
empire and has continued till today.

Other important contribution is vaulting. The Romans perfected the crude vaulting system of
the Mycenae architecture and in the cause of that introduced semi-circular type, wagon type,
the cross vault and the domes, this enable them to span a very big areas. Here the roman
introduced the application of sculpture in architecture. They were the first to introduce the use
of sculpture as decorative features on buildings.

ASSIGNMENT

With the aid of diagram, discuss in details the following important structures of the Romans

1 Basilica 2. Column for victory,3. Celebration of chivalry. 4 Apian ways. 5 Aqueducts

Thank you.