Architectural History
Architectural History:
Roman Era (753 BC – 330 AD)
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Objectives
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Outline the social, political, and religious
elements affecting the period.
Isolate elements associated with Roman
architecture.
Identify famous Roman buildings.
Recognize key terms from Roman
architecture.
Apply Roman architectural elements in a
contemporary situation.
Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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Roman Society
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Family
Class Structure
Patronage System
Roman Attire
Feasting Customs
Entertainment
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Roman Family
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Pater (father)
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Main person in charge legally
of the family
Power restrained depending
on status of the matron
Matron
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Women of the house
More powerful than fater if of
dignified social status
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Roman Class Structure &
Patronage System
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Patricians
Plebeins
Clients
Slaves
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Roman Attire
Men
 Wool or linen tunic worn
over a shirt and loincloth
 Toga for public functions
Women
 Stola – Sleeveless gown
belted at the waist
 Pilla – Brightly decorated
shawl worn with the stola
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Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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Feasting Customs
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Guests’ feet were first washed
upon entering the banquet
Guests brought their own
napkins
Food served in bite-sized
chunks
Diners reclined in three couches
in a U-shape around a central
table
Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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Entertainment
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Entertainment at feasts
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Theater- ritual provided three escalating ways of
showing appreciation
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Acrobats
Dancers
Musicians
Clowns
Snapping fingers
Clapping
Waving toga flap or handkerchief in the air
Circus
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Politics
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Senate
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Assembly
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Council of elders
Comprised of patricians
Chose the king
Protected Law of Customs
All male citizens of military age
Comprised of plebians
Consuls
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Two patrician officials with similar authority as early kings
Terms limits of one year
If one consul thought the other was getting too powerful he
could veto the other consul's actions
Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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Religion
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Polytheistic in the extreme
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Olympian gods
Gods associated with cities, activities,
professions, and abstractions
Home had penates – status of household gods
Rituals were central to religion
No separation of church and state
Omens and divination widely accepted
Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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Roman Architectural Elements
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Building Materials
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Stone
Marble
Concrete
Facing
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Opus incertum
Opus recticulatum
Opus testaceum
Opus mixtum
Opus sectile
Building Aims
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Structured use of space
Illusionism
Facadism
Structural Components
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Arch
Vault
Concrete
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Parts of an Arch
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Vaults
Groin Vault
(from above)
Barrel or Tunnel Vault
Groin Vault
(from below)
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Example Architectural Forms
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Aqua Claudia
Theater of Marcellus
Colosseum
Circus Maximum
Forum Baths at
Pompeii
Temple of Jupiter
Temple of Fortuna
Pantheon
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Basilica of Maxentius
and Constantine
Forum at Pompeii
Forum Romanum
Forum of Trajan
Hadrian’s Villa
Pyramid of Casius
Cestius
City Plan
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Aqua Claudia
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Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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Theater of Marcellus
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16
Colosseum
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17
Circus Maximum
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Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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18
Forum Baths at Pompeii
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Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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19
Temple of Jupiter
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Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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20
Temple of Fortuna
© Martha Hollander
Architectural History: Roman Architecture
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21
Temple of Venus and Rome
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22
Pantheon
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23
Basilica of Maxentius and
Constantine
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24
Forum at Pompeii
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Forum of Romanum
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26
Forum of Trajan
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27
Hadrian’s Villa
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Pyramid of Caius Cestius
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Vocabulary Review
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Abutment
Arch
Barrel vault
Center
Cross vault
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Crown
Dome
Facadism
Groin vault
Haunch
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Impost
Keystone
Pier
Plinth
Rise
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Span
Spandrel
Springer
Springing
Voussoirs
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