UNIT-V

Roman Civilization
LECTURE-09
ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - 1

Prepared by Updated by
Ar. Kumar Vyomkesh Ar. Lakshmy Menon
MCP, B.Arch M.Arch (Exec. Advanced Design), B.Arch.
L O C AT I O N A N D G E O G R A P H Y

• Long and narrow peninsula

of Italy
• The coastline is not as broken
up as the shore of Greece
• The Roman power was built up
by gradual absorption of
small states within the
kingdom

The earliest civilization in the

region around Rome were the
Etruscans

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
E T R U S C A N C I V I L I Z AT I O N

• The Etruscan civilization existed in what is now

the northern part of Italy – prior to the
formation of Roman Republic
• Around 700 BCE, the Etruscans developed into a
series of autonomous city- states – Rome was a
part of these city states

• Etruscans brought the sophisticated Eastern and

Greek cultures to the region
• Established an Urban culture
• Height of development – 600 BCE

Around 750 BCE

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
E T R U S C A N C I V I L I Z AT I O N

• Palaces, public buildings and temples in wood and brick – nothing remains now
• Good building skills – Arches, Vaults
• In the Roman empire – the main buildings and sewage system was built by the
Etruscan masons

• Temples were built on a high platform with a 4 columned

porch and a tiled gable roof
• Temples were oriented perfectly along the cardinal
directions

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
History of Rome

• 750 BCE – Founding of the city of Rome

• Around 400 BCE – Rome started conquering cities in the region of Italy
• 146 BCE – Greece became a province of Rome
• 55 BCE – Julius Caesar’s conquests extended the Roman empire from Britain to Northern Africa to Western Asia
• 27 BCE – Augustus became the emperor
• Augustus was followed by :
o Nero
o Vespasian
o Trajan
o Hadrian (Pantheon)
o Caracalla
o Diocletian
o Constantine – Christianity received official recognition

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 B U I L D I N G M AT E R I A L S Etruscan Style

• Unlike the Greeks who used stone and marble, the Romans
obtained earth to make terracotta and bricks
• Marble, terra cotta, stone and bricks
• Pozzolana – A type of sandy volcanic earth
• Pozzolana and lime were mixed to form concrete – Properties of
hardness, strength and durability

• Walls were made of concrete – Decorative facing of

bricks, stones, alabaster or marble
• Use of concrete throughout the Roman Empire – A new
construction system and a uniformity in all Roman
buildings

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

Trabeated style
(Greeks)

Use of Columns and

Arches together in
Roman Architecture

Arches, Vaults &

Domes
(Etruscans)

• 100 BCE to 300 CE – Principal examples of Roman Architecture were erected

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I
UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Columnar & Trabeated Style Architecture along with Etruscan Arches, Vaults & Domes were the key notes to
Roman Construction
• Arches & Vaults favored to span larger areas
• Structures were multi (several) - storeyed with superimposed columns
• Use of Lime concrete started which helped the construction system of extensive vaulting

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 ROMAN ORDERS

Doric Ionic Corinthian Tuscan Composite

• Corinthian Order was the favourite of the Romans

• Tuscan Order – Plain unfluted shaft and a simple entablature
• Composite Order – Upper portion of Ionic capital with lower part of Corinthian capital

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 R
O
M
A
N

O
R
D
E
R
S

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 TUSCAN Order
• Invented by Etruscans
• Named after the Tuscany region
• Column height is 7 times the diameter at the base (i.e., 7D) (Comprised Base,
Shaft & Capital)
• SHAFT :
• Circular (in plan)
• Unfluted
• BASE
• Height – 1/2D
• CAPITAL
• Height = ½ of diameter (i.e., ½ D)
• Consists of square abacus & ovolo echinus (a rounded convex moulding)
• Plain with no ornamentation

• Entablature
• Height - 1 & 3/4 D, Plain Surface
o Architrave – 1/2D high
o Frieze – 1/2D high
o Cornice – 3/4D high.

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 DORIC Order
Cornice
• Column Height is 8D (D is the lower diameter)
• SHAFT –
o Circular in plan & tapers to 3/4 to 2/3 dia at top
o Has 16-20 flutings
o The shaft ends in circular moulding called ‘Astragal’
• CAPITAL Frieze
o 1/2D High
• BASE
o Has a base unlike Greek Doric Order.
o A simple square block & Torus with convex profile Architrave
o Height – 1/2D
o Entablature
o 2D high
Astragal
o Architrave – 1/2D high –
Has Regula at top with 6 guttae under each triglyph 16-20 Flutes
o Frieze – 3/4D high &
o Cornice – 3/4D high
Square Base
Ex: Theater of Marcellus

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 IONIC Order
Cornice
▪ Column Height is 9D (Comprised Base, Shaft & Capital)
▪ BASE
Height – 1/2D
▪ SHAFT – Frieze

o Tapers to 5/6th dia at top.

o Inter Columniation is 3D
o Has 20 flutings Architrave

▪ CAPITAL - Volute Capital with carved ornamentation

• Entablature
Volute Capital
• 2&1/4 D High
• Architrave – 5/8D, heavy & richly decorated
• Frieze – 3/4D high – Flat & sculpted
• Cornice – 7/8D high
20 Flutings

Ex. Temple of Fortuna Virilis.

Square Base

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 C O R I N T H I A N Order
Cornice

• Column Height is 10D

Comprised Base, Shaft & Capital
• Inter Columniation is 2&2/3D
• BASE Frieze
Height – 1/2D
• SHAFT
Architrave with
Tapers to 5/6th dia at top. fascias
20 -24 flutings separated by fillets
• CAPITAL
1&1/6D High
o Entablature Capital
o 2&1/2 D High
o Architrave – 3/4D, fascias separated by ornamented moulding
o Frieze – 3/4D high – Enriched with sculptures
o Cornice – 1D high.
Square Base

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 C O M P O S I T E Order

Cornice
The Composite order combined elements of both the Ionic and Corinthian.
Used in the Triumphal Arches of Rome.
• Column Height is 10D Frieze
Comprised Base, Shaft & Capital
• BASE
Attic Base, upper & lower torus mouldings separated by scotia & fillets.
Architrave
• SHAFT
24 flutes separated by fillets
• CAPITAL
Combination of Volute Capital of Ionic & Acanthus Leaves of Corinthian Capital
• Entablature
Architrave – 3/4D high
Frieze – 3/4D high 24 Flutings
Cornice – 1D high.

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 ROMAN ORDERS

IDENTIFY

DORIC IONIC CORINTHIAN TUSCAN COMPOSITE

Roman Order Height of column

(in terms of base diameter)
TUSCAN 7

DORIC 8

IONIC 9

CORINTHIAN 10

COMPOSITE 10

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 Comparison between Roman and Greek Styles of Architecture

Greek Roman

Beauty and Proportion Structural Innovation

Proportions were very important. Designs have
refinement and beauty
Beautiful effect irrespective of small scale
Trabeated style of construction restricted the shapes
in planning - rectilinear
Construction with large marble blocks without any
mortar
Use of columns
Columns on all sides of temples
Designs gave an impression of vastness and
magnificence
Building of large scale utilitarian works like
aqueducts and bridges
Arches, vaults and domes could be used for roofing
of complicated plans – rectangular and semicircular
Use of different materials like brick, rubble with
mortar and also use of Concrete
Use of columns and also half- columns (pilasters)
Columns on the front side only

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 ARCHITECTURAL C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S – TEMPLES
Temples in Rome were Rectangular & Circular
7
COMPONENTS OF A ROMAN
TEMPLE:
1. Entrance to Temple Porch
RECTANGULAR (TEMPLE OF MARS)
2. Stylobate/Platform
3. Vertical Column Shaft
4. Capital of Columns
5. Architrave
6. Frieze & Reliefs in the
pediment
7. Raking Cornice

CIRCULAR (THE PANTHEON)

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
ROMAN TEMPLES

Plan of a typical Roman

temple
1. Podium
2. Engaged column
3. Freestanding column
4. Entrance steps
5. Porch
6. Cella

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
THE PANTHEON
126 BCE

Colonnaded Portico
ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I
UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
PANTHEON
• Temple to the 7 deities of the 7
planets in the Roman state religion.
• Circular structure – rotunda. In
front of it with the Corinthian
octastyle portico.
• A coffered concrete dome
with a central opening
(oculus), the Great Eye, open
to the sky.
• Corinthian columns 14 m (46
feet) high under a pediment
opening into the rotunda.
• A rectangular structure links
the portico with the rotunda.
• In the walls at the back of the
Corinthian Columns portico were niches for statues of
Caesar, Augustus and Agrippa.
PANTHEON
PANTHEON

Had a circular plan – 44m dia resting on a circular foundation of

4.5m depth

Octa-style portico of 33.5mx18m deep forms the entrance

Corinthian unfluted columns of 14m height & 1.5m dia, reaching
under the pediment
Columns support Entablature 3.35m high
Pediment contains the bronze relief representing the deities.
The interior is decorated with colored marble, and lined with columns
and carved figures set into niches in the wall.

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
 PANTHEON
THE DOME
• Rests on a cylinder of masonry walls of 6m
• Dome is constructed of stepped rings of solid concrete
• Thickness to about 1.2 m (4 feet) at the edge of the
oculus
• The dome of the rotunda behind the portico is 43.2 m (142 ft)
in diameter
• Height of the drum is 1/2 of that 142ft.
• A circular unglazed opening of 8.5m in diameter, the
Oculus is provided at the top of the dome, for lighting of the
building
• FIVE rows of 28 diminishing solid concrete coffers radiate
from the Oculus, reducing the weight of the roof and also
giving a pattern
• Interior of the roof symbolizes the heavens.

ARC 1109: History Theory & Criticism - I

UNIT-V: Roman Civilization
Ref: Sir Banister Fletcher’s
History of Architecture.
THANK YOU …