Roman Influence on Architecture

Sculptures Bathhouses Aqueducts*

Arch* Vaulted Ceilings* Domes*

Concrete Roads* Amphitheaters* Roman Sculptures • Roman sculptures are more realistic than Greek sculptures • The Greeks made their statues seem god-like • The Romans included wrinkles, deformities, and other unattractive features • “Greco-Roman”- having both Greek and Roman characteristics Bathhouses

• An important part of daily life in ancient Rome • Gave citizens of all classes the chance to mingle, gossip and relax. • Were viewed as fundamental to Roman civilization and an obvious example of Rome’s superiority to the rest of the world. Video #2 • A curved part of a structure over an opening the supports the weight above the opening • Triumphal Arches- large arches that told stories of Roman conquests • Romans did not invent this; but perfected it • Vault: arch used to support a roof • Vaulted Ceiling: Rows of arches built against one another to form a curved ceiling • Domes added dimension to the inside of buildings • The Pantheon in Rome- world’s largest dome • The dome allowed Romans to provided covering for large public spaces. • Oculus- opening on top; Latin for “eye”

• They were built for mass entertainment • Found all over the Roman Empire • The most famous- the Colosseum the Main Ideas •The use of vaults and arches, together with a knowledge of building materials, let the Romans achieve unprecedented success in building great structures for public use. •Some would consider concrete the most significant Roman contribution to the modern world, but overall Roman style can still be seen throughout Europe and America in the arches and domes of many governmental and religious buildings.