Roman Architecture

The writing at the top of the Arch of Titus

"THE SENATE AND PEOPLE OF ROME DEDICATED THIS ARCH TO THE DEIFIED TITUS VESPASIANUS AUGUSTUS, SON OF THE DEIFIED VESPASIAN"

Origin of the Colosseum

- Built around 70-72 AD - Named Colosseum because of its proximity to the colossal statue of Nero. - Emperor Vespasian of Flavian Dynasty built it - Gift to Rome by the Flavian Dynasty - Opened in 80 AD - Originally called the Flavian Amphitheater (how the Romans referred to this building) Reason for building: - After Nero's Golden palace was destroyed by a fire - Gift to Rome by the Flavian Dynasty - Amphitheater where the public could enjoy gladiatorial combats and other forms of entertainment

Architectural principles of Hadrian's Baths at Leptis Magna

- Imperial type - Bilateral symmetry: halls and facilities duplicated - A "palestra" or exercise yard was located at the front of the baths (north end) - Baths arranged in sequential order from unheated to hot. - The hypocaust(furnace), laconica (steam) and caldarium (hot bath) were placed next to the farthest southern end and next to each other because of the sun. - The baths were placed on a north and south axis. - The frigidarium (cold bath) has the largest roof to keep the water cold. - The natatio (swimming pool) is the largest area - Corinthian columns and statues - Painted , concrete, cross-vaulted ceilings

Stylistic changes/innovations to the Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius

- Largest basilica to be built in its time. - At that time, it used the most advanced engineering techniques known including innovations taken from the Markets of Trajan and the Baths of Diocletian. - Other basilicas had columns to support the ceiling, but the Basilica of Constantine was built using only arches. - While traditional basilicas were built with a flat roof, the Basilica Maxentius was built with a folded roof. This decreased the overall weight of the structure. - Earlier basilicas had wooden roofs, but this basilica had a concrete and brick roof

Origin of Hadrian's Baths at Leptis Magna

- Leptis Magna, a.k.a Lepcis Magna, is located on the Mediterranean Coast of North Africa in the Tripolitania Region of Libya. - Built 126-127 AD - Opened 137 AD - Publicly owned Overseen by Emperor Hadrian Reason for building: - Emperor Hadrian visited the province of Africa. - He wanted to build baths because the area was experiencing a period a rain after a long drought. - He also wanted a significant structure to bear his name. - The arrival of water and marble, in 2nd century AD, inspired Hadrian to build the bath in his name. - The baths became the social epicenter of the city and solidified community ties. - Provide comfort and indulgence for the long, hot African daylight - Show how even areas distant from the Empire are still influenced by the Emperor. - Propaganda glorify Leptis Magna - Public service for the province - Source of civic pride - Triumph of Roman technology, - Financial boost for provinces as it was funded by Rome. This shows a sign of Roman wealth and stability (propaganda.)

Materials used in the Theatre at Leptis Magna

- Much of the theater, such as the stands, were built from natural stone, concrete and brick. - Marble was used for special purposes in the theater and helped to act as a status symbol. - For example, important citizens of the city sat on marble thrones in theater while a marble wall separated aristocrats from the common people.

Panel 1 of the Arch of Titus

- One panel shows the start of Titus' 71 CE victory triumph procession as it passes through the Porta Triumphalis to the Forum Boarium with the participants carrying booty from the Temple of Jerusalem after the sacking of the city. - The depiction includes a menorah, silver trumpets, a table for the shewbread, and perhaps even the Ark of the Covenant. - Some figures carry plaques which would have indicated the names of the conquered cities and peoples of Jerusalem.

Origins of the Arch of Titus

- Roman Triumphal Arch - Built by Domitian in 81 AD at the bottom of the Palatine hill on the Via Sacra in the Forum Romanum, Rome - Built in order to commemorate the joint triumph celebrated by Titus and his father Vespasian in the summer of 71. - Arch constructed shortly after the death of the emperor Titus (born AD 41, emperor 79-81)

Materials used in Hadrian's Baths at Leptis Magna

- Swimming pool= columns of pink breccia marble with Corinthian capitals. - Wood for doors and posts - Mosaic imitation of gravel. - Marble slabs - Finely carved statues like Antinous, Hadrian's young lover - Cold water with black granite columns - Arched niches inlaid with glass mosaics - Treasures from Hadrian's travels (All materials came from Italy, Rome and other locations throughout Europe)

Materials used in the Pantheon

- The Pantheon was made using over 5000 lbs of a mixture of concrete, which composed of a thick aggregate for the base, and a thin pumice used at the top of the Pantheon. - The Romans were the first to use concrete in buildings, which is why the Pantheon is one of the most intact structures from Ancient Rome to this day.

The function of the Pantheon

- The Pantheon was originally built as a place to worship the gods. - Today, The Pantheon is used as a museum to show what life was like in Ancient Rome, and to give an idea of the architecture that was common at the time.

Architectural Principles of the Arch of Titus

- The arch was constructed using Pentelic marble, with the attic part in Luna marble. - Originally the letters would have been inlaid with gilded bronze - With a single opening, the arch is smaller and more modest in its decoration compared to other arches - These marble friezes are set on either side of the inner arch and measure 2.04 m high by 3.85 m long - Domitian's favored architect Rabirius, sometimes credited with the Colosseum, may have executed the arch

Origins of the Theatre at Leptis Magna

- The city of Leptis Magna was a prominent city in Roman Libya but had been apart of the Carthaginian Empire, the kingdom of Massinissa prior to the Roman Empire. - The city greatly expanded between the years 193-211 B.C under the emperor Septimius Serves. - The theater was partly financed by Annobal Tapapius Rufus who also helped to finance many other structures in the city. - The theater of Leptis Magna built in 1-2 A.D is the oldest theater in Roman Africa. Reason for building: - Mainly built for religious reasons. - The theater was built to honor the Greek God Dionysus and going to the theater was seen as an act of worshipping Dionysus. - Visitors furthered worshipped Dionysus by praying to Dionysus before the start of many plays held at the theater.

Origin of the Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius

- The construction was initiated by Maxentius in 308 CE - finished by Constantine after he had defeated Maxentius in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE. Reasons for building: - It was a big meeting space where officials could hold court cases. - It was also be used as council chambers.

Panel 2 of the Arch of Titus

- The other relief panel is carved in a three-quarter view and has Titus riding a four-horse chariot and shows him being crowned by a personification of Victory. - The goddess Roma stands in front, holding the bridle of one of the horses. - The two figures to the right of the chariot are personifications of the people of Rome and the Senate.

Architectural structure of the Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius

- The structure had a central nave, which is the central aisle of the basilica. covered by three groin vaults. Groin vaults are two vaults produced by the intersection of two vaults forming a half cylinder. These vaults were suspended 39 meters above the floor on four large piers. - It ended in an apse at the western end containing a colossal statue of Constantine. An apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault - The aisles were spanned by three semicircular barrel vaults perpendicular to the nave, and narrow arcades ran parallel to the nave beneath the barrel vaults. - The floor was 2000 square meters

Architectural Principles of the Theatre at Leptis Magna

- The theater's past as Punic city greatly influenced its architectural structure and the art of the city. - The theater is the second largest south of the Mediterranean and was built on the slope of a low, preexisting hill. - The theater included 5 flights of steps that allowed people to enter the natural stone, concrete, and brick stands. - Wealthy visitors sat at the front ranks whereas the poorer people sat on the higher seats.

Materials used in the Colosseum

- Travertine: used to build main pillars, ground floor, and external wall - Tuff: used to build other pillars and radial walls - Tiles and bricks: used for roofing on the walls - Roman Cement: used for the vaults Mortar and Lime were also used in the construction

The hypogeum of the Colosseum

- Underground - Network of Tunnels and Passages - Chambers for gladiators, animals, and slaves - Contained lifts operated by pulleys and ropes

Function of Hadrian's Baths at Leptis Magna

- Used for swimming, washing, therapy & exercise. - Apodyteria - changing rooms - Palaestra- exercise yard - Latrine- toilet - Laconica-sauna - The baths became the social epicenter of the city and solidified community ties. - Provide comfort and indulgence for the long, hot African daylight

What three emperors were involved in the construction of the Colosseum?

- Vespasian began the project. - Titus completed the project and held the inaugural games. - Domitian added the fourth storey.

Architectural principles of the Pantheon

- With the discovery of concrete, arches, and vaulting, Romans were now able to make large interior spaces like below. - The Pantheon is one of the greatest examples of Roman architecture featuring a common style of having eight pillars in the front.

Stylistic changes of the Theatre at Leptis Magna

- changes done shortly after construction up until around 150 A.D. - An important innovation to the theater was the addition of a colonnaded walk and tribunia. The Tribunia acted as "official boxing" while the colonnaded walk provided shades to the higher seats in the theater.

Functions of the Theatre at Leptis Magna

- large structure of the theater allowed many people to watch the performance - 5 staircases allowed large masses of people to enter and leave the theater. - Theater was cut into 6 different sections which allowed everyone to have a good angle of the stage. - Ledges separated different levels of seating which also separated the wealthy visitors from the poor visitors.

The origin of the Pantheon

-The Pantheon was a temple created in Ancient Rome that was first built at around 27 B.C.E. - The third and final version was built in 125 C.E. Reason for building: - The Pantheon was originally built to be a temple dedicated to the gods, and as a place where people could go to worship these gods.

Function of the Colosseum?

A large stadium/Amphitheater in ancient Rome where athletic events, Gladiator Combat, and other forms of entertainment took place.

The Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius compared to Aula Palatina

Aula Palatina: The Aula Palatina was built around AD 310 as a part of the palace complex. Originally it was not a free standing building, but had other smaller buildings (such as a forehall, a vestibule and some service buildings) attached to it. - commissioned by the emperor Constantine I - The hall has a length of 67 m, a width of 26.05 m and a height of 33 m. It is designated as part of the Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter - The basilica contains the largest extant hall from antiquity

Colosseum compared to Nimes

Colosseum: 50,000 Spectators Oval Shaped Trap Doors & lifts Built in 70-72 AD Rome Nîmes: 24,000 Spectators Oval Shaped Trap Doors & lifts Built in 70 AD French city of Nîmes Picture shows Nimes

Stylistic changes to the Pantheon

One decoration of The Pantheon would be the inscriptions on the pillars which says "M-AGRIPPA-L-F-COS-TERTIUM-FECIT" meaning that it was built by Marcus Agrippa in his third consulate. (Consulate is a period of office of a Roman official.)

Architectural Principals of the Colosseum

Oval Shaped: - 45,000 seats and 5,000 standing places - 80 entrance arches - 4 arches were not accessible to public but rather to restricted areas and special seats - First tier of seating for important Romans Seating: Ima Cavea: noble class and knights Media Cavea: Roman citizens Summa Cavea: Poor, foreigners, slaves

Hadrian's Baths at Leptis Magna compared to the Baths of Caracalla

Similarities: Rectangle plan/ Imperial style Use of marble, mosaics and statues Named after the emperors of their time Large Used aqueducts Used to socialize and cleanse Public Differences: Hadrian's bath: is in Libya (North Africa) Trajan Dynasty opened 1 year later (126-127 AD) always used for bathing (year round) Caracalla bath: was is in Rome (Europe) used for opera (summer) Antonine Dynasty opened 5 years later (212-217 AD) (Pictures shows Caracalla bath)

The pantheon compared to the temple of vesta

Temple of Vesta - The temple was dedicated to the goddess Vesta, the virgin goddess of hearth, and built for the Vestal Virgins to dwell in as they honor their Virgin Goddess. - Originally built in the Forum Romanum in the 3rd century BCE - Had unusually high columns

The Theatre at Leptis Magna compared to the Theatre of Marcellus

The Theatre of Marcellus: Structure: - Has rows of arches and unusually high windows - Responding to its site, the semicircular curve of the theatre was built using the same curve used for the Circus. - The project also made allowances for the swampy soil conditions near the river, with a concrete platform being built to reinforce the foundations. - it could hold 15,000-20,000 spectators - originally had 41 arches for each of the three tiers: Doric for the first two and Ionic for the last. - The uppermost portion was decorated with enormous marble theatre masks. - The building was fitted with ramps and tunnels that enabled spectators to leave the theatre rapidly. Location: - Located in the Campus Martius area, between the Tiber and the Campidoglio - An example of the kinds of modification and changes of use undergone by ancient Roman monuments over the centuries. Origin: - To compete with a rival, Julius Caesar decided to build a this theatre nearby. He annexed a large area and didn't hesitate to demolish existing buildings, including two temples. - Started in 44 B.C. - Theatrical productions were offered to the general public during election campaigns, and building a theatre proved to be an excellent propaganda too

Materials used in the Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius

The materials used were concrete and brick.

Arch of Titus compared to the Arch of Septimus Severus [Rome]

The top inside of the arches are very similar in design. Severus was built in 204 AD and Titus was built in 81 AD. Picture shows the Arch of Septimus Severus