Download Roman Architecture and Art

Roman Architecture and Art
Mr. Nikolov
1. Roman Architecture
• The Roman architecture is utilitarian, practical,
because the Romans are pragmatic in spirit.
Most of the Roman buildings are for civil use, not
religious.
• Romans invented materials and construction
techniques that allow them to build multi-storey
buildings – concrete, brick and the arch.
Ceramic is the most durable material in the
world. Indoor plumbing, hypocaust heating.
• Roman engineers no longer depend on the
landscape, they can alter it to their needs.
A. Roman Utilities
• Aqueducts – using arcades to deliver water to
cities from mountain sources.
• Bridges – permanent crossings of rivers.
• Roads – for army use and trade.
• Amphitheaters – for mass entertainment, not
culture or arts. They have 2 parts – Theatron for
spectators and Arena for performance. No
religious significance.
• Baths – community centers with attached library,
gym, swimming pool, spa and conference rooms
Roman Aqueducts
Another aqueduct
The Coliseum
Circus Maximus
Via Appia
Via Appia
Roman bridge in Spain
Roman Bath
Roman bath
B. Political Architecture
• The Forum – center of public life and trade. The
largest is the Forum of Trajan. Rectangular
shaped with public buildings around it. Second
forum build by Constantine I in Constantinople.
• The Triumphal Arch – built by Emperors as a
symbol of Victory in war. Oldest is the Arch if
Titus. Last is the Arch of Constantine the Great.
They have inscription about the event – primary
source. Usually built near the Forum.
• The obelisk – precedes the arch, same meaning
Forum in Rome
Arch of Constantine
C. Private Architecture
• The Roman house – accommodates the
extended family. Comfort and durability.
• Well decorated – mosaics, wall paintings.
• The Roman villa – a cottage in the country
or by the sea, eventually some of them
developed into country estates.
Roman house
House in Pompeii
Villa Adrianna
D. The Roman temples
• Roman temples were built close to the forum.
Religion was a very public function in Rome.
Temples accommodate several gods. Emperor
Hadrian built the temple of all gods – Pantheon.
Romans often built round temples accessible
trough only one door. Some have internal
atrium. Greek columns were borrowed, but the
orders were mixed; often only decorative.
• Christian basilicas were build in the 4th and 5th
centuries – have the shape of a cross.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon
Roman basilicas
The Roman Art
• Same as architecture, art is practical, realistic, used
entertainment, not religion.
• Etruscan terracotta statues, mostly on sarcophagus –
memorial for the deceased.
• Republican art – bronze portraits, realistic. Legends –
Capitoline She-Wolf, marble and bronze copies of
Greek originals (gods and heroes). Simple paintings.
• Imperial art – more idealized images, marble portraits of
emperors and empresses, historical relief, mosaics, and
wall painting (Pompeii). Much more nudity than in Greek
art. Scenes from mythology or leisure, not sports. Local
influences in the provinces (e.g. Faiyum portraits).
Etruscan Terracotta
Portraits of Caesar
Romulus and Remus
Portraits of Augustus
Claudius and Nero
Trajan and Hadrian
Marcus Aurelius
Constantine the Great
Relief – Column of Trajan and Arch
of Trajan
Mosaics - Pompeii
Wall paintings - Pompeii
More Pompeii
Faiyum Portraits
Christian Art