Temple Of Portunus

The Temple of Portunus includes a frontal elevation composed of two distinct parts: the façade above the floor and below it. In accordance with the Etruscan temple style, the floor of the temple is raised on a podium, which is accessed by a frontal staircase. Above the floor is the Greek influenced Ionic façade that includes towering Ionic columns and volutes. This clear delineation between the Greek and Etruscan influence is Roman elemental juxtaposition. Additionally, the temple exhibits a ground plan that melds a Greek peristyle and an Etruscan close-wall construction. The walls were expanded to the edge of the building and engaged columns were placed on the outside to give the appearance of a Greek colonnade. This combination allowed the Romans to indulge both Etruscan and Greek influences. On a larger scale, temples in general were a large part of the Roman public sphere because they had wide ranging social, political and religious effects. These temples, based on Greek and Etruscan architectural influence, were commonly funded by wealthy Roman citizens who wished to display their importance through improving the common areas of Rome. The Roman adoption of Greek and Etruscan building practices, and their unwillingness to choose one or the other, allowed them to

Ancient Greek architecture dates from around 800 BCE when the site of Delphi first obtained a religious significance. The architecture of Ancient Greece has influenced the architecture of the past two millennia most significantly that of Ancient Rome (Hemingway, 2003). Greek architecture influenced Roman architecture in extensive ways, giving that the Romans adopted and incorporated many Greek methods and elements into their own practice. Although the Romans were inspired by the Greek there are still many differences in their architecture most noticeably through materiality. Although the Greeks constructed many types of buildings the most recognisable “Greek” structure is the temple. (Becker, 2015) As stated by Coleen Hemingway in an article for the Metropolitan Museum of Art “ the Greek temple best exemplifies the aims and methods of Greek Architecture”. Whilst exploring such architecture it is necessary to examine the mentality, religious beliefs and driving forces of each civilization. According to Stierlin “Unlike the Greek temple, essentially a structure for the play of light and shade, with little interior space accommodating a small sanctuary, Roman builders typically used arches, vaults, matching domes

Greek and Roman architecture is truly amazing. They each had great ideas, and fabulous productions. It is said that the Pantheon is to Italy what the Parthenon is to Greece. Both are tremendous monuments that reek of culture and history. Each had a purpose which was displayed by the design and construction of each. There are such great meanings behind each of these architecural structures. The Romans and the Greeks alike worshipped and dedicated their structures and designs to the Gods and Goddess they believed in.

Roman Architecture has always been embraced deeply due to the simplicity and the aesthetic sensation it communicates. However, the actual reason it is truly recognized, is by its very structured and functional design methodology. The idea of design methodology can be broken down into many aspects. These aspects include ideas such as, materials used (brick and concrete), design concepts, design techniques (arches, vaults, domes) and how each design satisfies its intended purpose and large exterior and interior spaces. There are many important Roman designs, but the two designs that demonstrate the Roman design methodology is the Pont du Gard in Nimes from 20-16 BCE and The Pantheon from 125 A.D.

In fact, many of the infrastructural advances often attributed to the Romans were actually Etruscan in origin. For example, the Etruscans developed a system of drainage within their cities that was unmatched by any other culture at the time, and directly led to the creation of the famous Roman aqueducts . As well, the Etruscans built many roads between their cities that the Romans later used, and aspects of the Etruscan’s road building techniques can be seen in Roman roads. One of the most well-recognised features of Roman architecture is the arch, but the use of arches was actually a technique adapted from the Etruscans. Public Etruscan buildings were usually made to look impressive, and this is something that the Romans carried on, as they used similar bright colours and high archways to create a stunning effect. The Etruscans tended to build their cities in a grid pattern, and while Rome itself was laid out in a rather haphazard fashion, many other Roman cities were built in a more grid-like, Etruscan

The wealthy yet enigmatic civilization from ancient Italy, the Etruscans, are known for its influence on Roman culture, language, and art. However, it had adopted many artistic characteristics of its continental neighbor: ancient Greece. Etruscan sculptures were well-preserved in underground tombs, which helped historians analyze and better understand information about the civilization. The Etruscans had a close connection with the Greek colonies, this sped up the adoption of Greek art and culture throughout the Etruscan civilization. While Greek influence on Etruscan societies created many artistic similarities, the Etruscans had evolved their own style and motifs to their sculptures.

With Etruscan influence, the Romans began building with enthusiasm, combining columns, arches and various styles of vaults into their homes, temples and Colosseum. Although the Romans impact on architecture spread throughout Europe and the United States, nothing is as magnificent as the Romans development of concrete and its use for constructing walls, theaters and those beautifully graceful bridges.

For example, in Ancient Rome, most of the buildings were build be using columns, therefore, the buildings were more reliable. In many of our buildings today you see this same columns used in buildings in our society today. For instance, “You can see the influence of Roman architecture in government buildings, large banks, and even some famous buildings like the United States Capitol Building (Ducksters).” A building that the Romans built that also takes a big part in our society today is the Pantheon. The Pantheon was built in the shape of a dome, and was built to honor every god the Romans worshipped.

As the Romans traveled on many conquests they came in contact with some highly developed cultures, especially the Greek lifestyle, which encouraged the spread and development of their innovations in architecture, engineering, literature, and art.

In the beginning of Rome, etruscans imitated Greek art and language. Some of Romans art included, portrait sculptures that their families carried onto for generations. Death masks used during funeral processions. And, wall paintings and frescos. Romans adopted Greek architectures as well: columns, colonnades, rectangular structures, and post-and-lintel construction.

Onto our next subject, we will look at the Greeks and the influence they have had on Architecture in Western Civilization. A simple observation of the Acropolis and you can see familiar designs and influence in western architecture from the columns to the moldings found in buildings today for example, the White House is filled with columns and moldings imitating Greek design. It’s easy to see why we have adopted the strong yet elegant designs of the Greeks, the designs are sturdy

Columns, as noted, were a prominent feature of Roman architecture, which was drawn from the Greeks. Although Rome did not copy Greek columns exactly, “Greek influence is evident in the use of columns,”18 nevertheless, which is to be expected since Romans greatly admired Greek columns.19 Rome also adopted the Greek's mortar and ashlars.20 Additionally, since Greeks believed “that beauty lies in mathematical harmony,” Greek influence is seen in Imperial temples which contained set, mathematical ratios of design. As noted, when Rome began producing sculpture, they began producing Hellenistic-influenced idealistic sculptures.21 The reversion to older Greek forms is not a surprise if one considers Rome's admiration for Greek sculpture. Such admiration of Greek sculpture is evidenced by Rome's copying of Greek sculptures, such as the Venus di Milo.22

Architecture of the ancient Roman Empire is one of the most fascinating of all time. The city of Rome once housed more than one million residents. The Romans made great use of many architectural shapes like arches and columns. Using these they were able to build monstrous buildings of worship, entertainment and other services. The one building that comes in mind over the centuries, when you think of Rome is The Amphitheatrum Flavium or The Coloseum.

Many often lump Greek and Roman culture into one movement. The Greeks were an influence on the Roman Empire in everything from their art, architecture, and mathematics to their political structure. Though they are separated by over 500 years, the building of the Parthenon and Pantheon were each hugely significant architectural strides for each culture. Each has their similarities, as well as differences. On a whole, they set the way for the architects of the future with their vision.

As the saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” however long it took to build the capital, the days, months, years, centuries of work can be viewed as a long lasting landmark which paved the way for new and challenging architecture to come (How Roman architecture influenced modern architecture [sa]). According to Tony Rook (2013: [sp] ch.2) the typical Roman temple shows the Etruscan tradition combined with the Greek one. Although some of their premature concepts were acquired from the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, Roman architects transformed the body of architecture for all time to come, offering buildings and structures that has never been before, along the side of public buildings and infrastructure that could be used by