How Did Augustus Made Significant Urban And Architectural Interventions On The City Of Rome

The famous historical structure known as the Colosseum is a remarkable piece of architecture that has survived for over nearly two millenniums. It was commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the people of Rome and completed by his son, Titus in the year 70 A.D. (History, 2009). Since then, the Flavian Amphitheater has gone through lifetimes of changes with chronicles of events. It is one of the most impressive ancient structures that still stand today and is extraordinary because of a multitude of reasons. The Colosseum’s advanced function, structural soundness, as well as its impeccable design contributes to its grandeur. Its initial opening performance did not fail to commemorate its existence, lasting

The manipulation of materials used by the Romans has still not been equaled to this day. This reality is surprising when considering the span of time which has passed since the completion of the Pantheon. A period of almost two thousand years has come and gone without any other dome structure equivalently matching the enormity and importance of the Pantheon. Hadrian’s commencement of the Pantheon has created one of the more “influential works in Western architectural history (Fazio, Moffett, and Lawrence). Keeping in mind the pantheon was created as a temple to commemorate all the pagan gods of ancient Rome (Alcott). At the time it was a very large undertaking and Hadrian felt that using architecture was a sufficient course of action to demonstrate his imperial prowess. The Roman Empire was outstretched over a vast expanse of land and could not sustain itself, however Hadrian used his knowledge of the lay to procure some elements for his reconstruction of the Pantheon. Literally meaning “many gods” the pantheon also served as a sundial with an oculus opening at the apex of the dome. Hadrian’s belief in pagan deities coerced him to create a grand structure suitable to express the divine influence of the gods over the Roman Empire. In fact, Hadrian’s reign produced many architectural exploits that had never been seen or even attempted before his

Augustus, during his reign as emperor proved effective in ruling through the ideas he implemented to solidify his country. Tacitus stated “nullo adversante” which translates into English “Wholly unopposed” (http://janusquirinus.org/Quotes/QuotesHome.html) this identifies the effectiveness of his reign and the strength he had politically over Rome. Important actions such as the creation of religious and moral reforms, the constitutional agreement and the implementation of the building programme all succeeded in creating stability within the Roman Empire.

Towards the city’s heavily trafficked center the Roman Forum was constructed for convenient easy access of all the citizens. The foreground of the forum was occupied by a paved square with monuments to famous citizens. The temple to the Divine Julius, dedicated in 29 BCE to the deified Caesar, built in a Hellenistic style, is located in the background on the left; to the right is the temple of Vesta and the house of the Vestal Virgins, guardians of the everlasting flame; further to the right is the temple of the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux dedicated in 6 CE Here the office of weights and measures was situated. The podiums of the temples of Caesar and the Dioscuri were often used as orators' platforms and it is in this part of the Forum that the meetings of the comitia took place. On the far right is the Basilica Julia built by Caesar. Its long façade occupies the entire south side of the Forum. (Owens, 154) Semi-circular in plan and having consisted of a tall stage building, theaters were a semi-circular orchestra and tiered seating area. Unlike Greek theatres, which were built on natural slopes, they were supported by their own framework of piers and vaults and so could be built anywhere and not where nature dictated. Amphitheatres (literally, ‘double theatres’) were elliptical in plan; with a central areana. (Bowra, 38)

This paper evaluates and considers two important buildings from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, the Greek Parthenon and the Roman Pantheon. Style, function and reflection on how these buildings represent the cultures that created them. A comparison between the two buildings is included.

In a social context, many of Rome’s buildings such as monuments and public facilities like forums or public bath houses, reflects the advanced social structure of Rome and its civilization. Furthermore the complex architectural design of buildings throughout the Roman Empire and Republic, for example the grand Aqueduct of Segovia in Spain which still stands tall today after 1900

The structure’s most remarkable structural features can be classified as either Roman or Dacian, depending on what cultural influences were apparently dominant for the structure (Thill, Elizabeth 28). To be considered Roman, the structure had to first plainly be a type of Roman architecture, such as an amphitheater. Additionally, it had to be “part of an urban landscape incorporating buildings of clearly Roman architectural types” (Thill 28). Finally, the structure needed to be somehow linked to the Roman army. For an architectural structure to be considered Dacian, it likewise needed several specific conditions. Firstly, any foreign, non-Roman architecture would be classified as Dacian. Secondly, it could not be apart of an urban landscape with Roman

In Rome alone one can tens of other examples of the same phenomenon, the most logical of which is the aqueduct Marcia’s close relative, the aqueduct Iulia. The aqueduct Iulia, though its source was 2 miles to the right of the twelfth mile of the Via Latina from Rome, has much in common with the aqueduct Marcia in both course and structure. In terms of its course, the aqueduct Iulia consists of a subterranean channel, which then appears to rise from the ground upon reaching the Campagna. Interestingly, the water from the Iulia mixes with that of the Marcia, in addition to waters from 4 other sources. After this mixing, the Iulia and another channel, the Tepula, ‘piggyback’ upon the arcades of the Marcia! This only serves to strengthen the striking visual by replacing a single storied arcade with three stories of imposing

The Roman Corinthian temples were a testament to the construction techniques and its architecture was heavily influenced by the Etruscans. Romans worshipped several deities and thus temples served as a place of high importance which was adorned with reliefs and sculptures. A typical Roman temple, for example, Temple of Augustus and Roma consisted of a cella housing the main deity and approached through a colonnaded portico (pronaos) by means of a flight of stairs. The temples were constructed with the help of concrete and oriented themselves to face east towards the rising sun and entered through the west. The column order seen in the Roman Corinthian temples was inspired by the Greek architecture. Vitruvius, the Roman architect likened the

In traditional Roman architectural iconography, a centrally planned dome building symbolizes imperial rule and it’s

Since Ancient times, Roman Architecture has carried on an important legacy, that provided useful yet common techniques that have been applied to build the structures standing tall in todays world. Roman Architects were very advanced for their time. Moreover, they used their knowledge in math, following arithmetics and formulas to draw blueprints to exact specifications. Roman architects strived for “openness” and views unobscured by parts of the building, while inside. To accomplish this, they incorporated domes and arches so that buildings would be strong, yet open and spacious to people inside. Many buildings had very tall ceilings because Architects used domes to help support the building. Domes were important to the structure of the buildings

A common theme noticed in the architectural history of Rome is the use of arches. Whether used for their quality and bolster, or raised for their fancy magnificence, evidence of ancient Rome’s love for the arch has lasted throughout history. One of the more famous employments of curves in Roman building design is found in the Roman aqueduct system. A fascinating waterway system designed to carry fresh water from the surrounding highlands into the heart of the city, the aqueduct system was considered highly advanced for its time. The invention and use of aqueducts helped to shape the culture and mold a way of life for ancient Rome.

When we think of Roman architecture there are many ancient structures but which come to mind? The Coliseum in Rome, the Triumphal Arches of Titus and Constantine, The Pantheon of Rome, and the Pont-de-Gard in Nimes, France. Often the success of a society is judged by the structures it creates. Therefore, the might of Rome can be seen not only in its engineering projects and structures, which rivaled all other ancient civilizations, but also in the sense of order and superiority which was conveyed by their achievements. The Pantheon of Rome and The Pont-de-Gard in Nimes, France are two classical examples.

This project was assigned to demonstrate the influence of Roman culture into the modern day world. Our group interpreted this and decided that one of the most important things that were inspired by the Romans was the architecture and structure of the buildings. After some debate, we decided on two structures: the aqueduct and a Roman marketplace. Our group voted, the market was chosen, and the plans were laid. The market of Rome inspired the modern day version because of its layout of the buildings and the strip-mall type structure. The Romans had long open “hallways” of stores, in which columns lined two sides that had roofs connected to the other end. This allowed people to walk in and out quickly and to have the comfort of shade. On the Miami side, we had a tall building made of what appears to be metal and glass. In front of this are an umbrella and table, inside lies the elaborate decorations, and cash register. This demonstrates how Roman culture has influenced the modern world, and has improved throughout time.

Architecture is an important aspect of understanding the culture and society of any civilisation. Today I will be looking what similarities and differences can be seen between the Minoan architecture from 1900BC to 1150BC and the Roman architecture from 27BC to 180AD. I’ll be mainly focusing on the palaces of Knossos and Phaistos of Minoan, Crete and The Colosseum ad the Pantheon of Rome.