Roman architecture relies heavily on the use of concrete and the arch
to create unique interior spaces and architectural forms.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Explain the importance of both concrete and the arch in Roman architecture.
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
Roman temple design is based on an eclectic use of Etruscan and Greek models. They are typically
strictly frontal, on a high podium with a flight of stairs, and have a deep colonnadeportico in front
of the cella.
Concrete was an essential building material for the Romans. It is lightweight, strong, and durable
and could even be used underwater.
Most Roman buildings were built with concrete and brick and then faced in stucco, expensive
stone, or marble.
The arch is a quintessential architectural shape in Roman architecture.
Arches can be used together to create vaults (barrel and groin) and domes as well as to create
unique interior spaces.
TERMS [ edit ]
psuedoperipteral
A building with free standing columns in the front andengaged columns along the peripheral
walls; a style is often used on Roman temples.
barrel vault
A simple roof having a curved, often semicircular cross section; used to span large distances in
railway stations, churches, etc, and usually supported on columns.
exedra
A semicircular recess, with stone benches, used as a place for discussion.
pozzolana
A type of volcanic ash used for mortar or for cement which sets under water.
cella
The inner chamber of a temple where the cult image or statue is kept.
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Roman Temples
The form of Roman temples derived from
Etruscan prototypes. Like Etruscan
temples, Roman temples were frontal
with stairs leading up to a podium and a
deep portico filled with columns. They are
also usually rectilinear and the interiors
consist of at least one cella, which
contained a cult statue or image.
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If multiple gods were worshiped in one
temple, each god would have its own cella and cult image. For example, Capitolia, temples
dedicated to the Capitoline Triad, would always be built with three cellae, one for each god of
the triad: Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Roman temples were typically made of brick and
concrete and then faced in either marble or stucco. Engaged columns (columns that are
decorative and not needed for structural support) adorn the exterior sides of the temples.
This creates an effect of columns completely surrounding a cella, an effect known
aspsuedoperipteral . This technique is most often seen in Greekperipteral temples. The altar
of the temple, used for sacrificesand offerings, always stood in front of the temple.
Temple of Portunus
A typical Roman Republican temple. Rome, Italy. Ca. 75 BCE.
While most Roman temples followed this typical plan, some were dramatically different. At
times, the Romans erected round temples that imitated a Greek style. Examples can be found
in the Forum Boarium in Rome, at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli and, most famously,
the Pantheon at Rome, also built by the emperor Hadrian. The first two examples are very
similar to round Greek temples, while the Pantheon's plan includes a deep colonnaded porch
that gives one the illusion of entering a normal rectilinear temple until you walk inside.
Concrete
The Romans perfected the recipe for concrete during the third century BCE by mixing
together water, lime, andpozzolana. The volcanic ash was mined from the countryside
surrounding Mt. Vesuvius. Concrete became the primary building material for the Romans
and it is largely the reason that they were such successful builders. Most Roman buildings
were built with concrete and brick that was then covered in façade of stucco, expensive stone,
or marble. Concrete was a cheaper and lighter material than most stones used for
construction, which helped the Romans build structures that were taller, more complicated,
and quicker to build than any previous ones. Once dried, concrete was also extremely strong,
although flexible enough to remain standing during moderate seismic activity. The Romans
were even able to use concrete underwater, allowing them build harbors and breakers for
their ports.
Arches, vaults, and domes
The Romans effectively combined concrete and the structural shape of the arch. These two
elements became the foundation for most Roman structures and building types. The
structure of an arch is incredibly solid and strong. It can bear immense weight as it is
designed to redistribute weight from the top of the arch to its sides and down into
the ground . While the Romans did not invent the arch, they were the first culture to
manipulate and readily rely on its shape.
Schematic illustration of an arch.
This diagram illustrates the structural support of an arch.
The arch is a shape that can be manipulated into a variety of forms that create unique
architectural spaces. Multiple arches can be used together to create a vault. The simplest type
is known as a barrel vault . Barrel vaults consist of a lineof arches in a row that create the
shape of a barrel cut in half. When two barrel vaults intersect at right angles, they create
agroin vault. These are easily identified by the x­shape they create in the ceiling of the vault.
Furthermore, because of the direction, the thrust is concentrated along this x­shape, so only
the corners of a groin vault need to be grounded. This allows an architect or engineer to
manipulate the space below the groin vault in a variety of ways.
Barrel Arch
Barrel vaults, or barrel arches, consist of a line of arches in a row that create the shape of a barrel cut in
half. When two barrel vaults intersect at right angles, they create a groin vault.
Arches and vaults can be stacked and intersected with each other in a multitude of ways. One
of the most important forms that they can create is the dome. This is essentially an arch that
is rotated around a single point to create a large hemispherical vault. The Pantheon is the
most famous of Roman domes. The center of some domes is a large round window, opened
to the sky. This is known as an oculus (Latin for eye) and it lets in light, rain, and even props
such as flower petals that were used during festivals.
The arch and concrete are found in many iconic Roman structures. The arch is seen in
aqueducts, such as the aqueduct at Segovia, Pont du Gard. The Sanctuary of Fortuna at
Palestrina, Italy is a massive temple structure built into the hillside in first century BCE in a
series of terraces, exedras, and porticoes. Concrete was used as the primary building material
and barrel vaults provide structural support both as a terracing method for the hill and in
creating interesting architectural spaces for the sanctuary. Bath structures also make great
use out concrete, arches, and a system of vaults and domes. Some of the largest bath
structures included vaults or domes that spanned over eighty feet.
Roman aqueducts are another iconic use of the arch. The arches that make up an aqueduct
provided support without requiring as much building material that would be needed if the
aqueducts were supported by solid walls.
Arch Diagram
Diagram of the structural support of an arch.