Architectural structures in ancient Rome. Architecture of ancient Rome and ancient monuments of the eternal city. Modern architecture of Rome

TOPIC: GRADOS

LECTURE 5

Roman town planning is a direct continuation of Greek town planning traditions.

There are three periods in the history of Rome :

1) royal (753 – 510 BC),

2) republican (510 – 27 BC),

3) imperial (from 27 BC to 476 AD)

The most characteristic features of Roman urban planning were formed under the influence of Etruscan culture. Etruscan cities had a regular layout (the city of Misa - modern Marzabotto) and a high level of technical equipment for streets. The width of the main streets was 15 m, they had paving, raised sidewalks, stone crossings, and channels for drains. Everything is made of stone.

In (616 - 510 BC) residential buildings with atriums and temples on high podiums were built in Rome. The Tuscan order began to form. played a big role

Hellenistic traditions. Such types of buildings as the theater, stadium, palaestra, and peristyle of residential buildings were borrowed from the Greeks.

A special section of Roman urban planning art consists of the additions by Roman architects of Greek ensembles in almost all cities of Greece: Olympia, Miletus, Athens, Alexandria of Egypt, Pergamon, etc.

The Romans treated ancient Greek architecture with care, building mostly ordinary buildings, believing that they were improving the unfinished ensembles of the past. The desire for completeness and integrity of the architectural and planning composition was one of the main artistic principles of Roman urban planning.

The emergence of Rome is associated with the name of King Romulus, who founded the city on the Palatine Hill (“Square Rome”) according to Etruscan customs (fortune telling, signs, furrow, ditch and fortress walls. Inside the walls there is a city – urbs, around the walls there is a pomerium.

IN tsarist period arises in the valley between the hills community Center, after draining the valley (by the oldest hydraulic structure in Rome - the cesspool of Maximus).

The city spreads to the neighboring hills, a radial road system appears, in 578 - 533. BC. the city is surrounded by walls that surround most of the hills.

IN republican period Temples arose on the Ancient Forum and the Capitoline Hill. Residential buildings are made of mud brick and wood.

Imperial period associated with the Punic Wars (Puni - Phoenicians who founded Carthage). As a result of the 1st Punic War (264 - 241 BC), the islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia were conquered.

2nd - (218 – 201 BC) - Spain

3 – to her - (149 – 146 BC) - Carthage

During the wars, roads and bridges were built and paved. Along the roads there are road pillars - milliaria. The starting point was a pillar on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.

Along the roads, at a distance of a day's march, the Romans built cities similar to military camps. In the center was the praetorium - the tent of the commander-in-chief - the praetor. On the left side is the treasurer's (quaestor) tent - questorium. On the right side of the forum is the tent of the legate (assistant to the praetor). Along the main street were the tents of the tribunes, the main military commanders - six in each legion, and the prefects - (chiefs - overseers).

Main Street is 30 m wide, Pretoria Street is 15 m wide. Total length camps for two legions - 645 m.

Cities - colonies.

The breakdown of the urban area began with determining the geometric center of the city and determining the direction of the two main streets "cardo" - north - south direction and "decumanus maximus" - west - east. Later the orientation was not so strict. Secondary streets were laid parallel to the directions of the main streets.

Decumanus maximus - 12 m wide.

Cardo - 6 m

Secondary streets - 4 m

The main intersection of the city is tetrans- was distinguished by a special architectural structure - tetrapaw- a cubic building with through passages.

The tetrapil was replaced by four monumental pillars located at the main city intersection.

Entrances to the city were marked by triumphal arches (beautiful city gates).

The size of the cities did not exceed 14.7 hectares (Cremona). Bologna and Florence (10 hectares).

Aosta (26 - 25 BC) 724 x 572 m - size of the city.

Large blocks: 143 x 181 m. Amphitheater, theater, Baths, temple. Triumphal Arch.

By the beginning of the imperial period, Rome was a city with land and sea roads diverging from it, connecting it with such distant territories as North Africa, Asia Minor, Spain, Britain, etc. Along the roads there were fortified regular cities. Rome reminded huge spider, which “covered” a vast territory with a web of roads and settlements, stretching over 4 thousand kilometers.

At the end of the 1st century BC. Octavian Augustus took control of all military power (imperium) and received the right to be called emperor.

It was golden age of thaem art.

Poets: Virgil, Horace, Tibullus, Ovid. Geographer and historian Strabo.

Architect Vitruvius. Ten books about architecture. Vitruvius summed up the vast experience of Hellenistic and Roman architecture.

In the 1st book he talks about the main requirements for choosing a place to found a city :

Favorable climatic and topographic conditions;

Availability of drinking water;

Water and land road systems for trade;

Fertile land.

According to Vitruvius, in the field of aesthetics, architects must adhere to ordination (order system), reasonable disposition (layout), harmony, symmetry (proportionality), decorum (correspondence) and distribution (distribution of resources).

27 BC Rome developed freely between the hills, where forums were built, on the Campus Martius, where spectacular structures, porticos and temples arose. On the hills, among gardens and picturesque nature, there were patrician villas.

Construction in the city was carried out with private funds, even the paving of roads. Particularly famous for his engineering activities Agrippa, who repaired ancient water pipelines - Aqua Apia, Anio Vetus, Aqua Antia, Aqua Tepula - and built new ones - Aqua Iulia and Aqua Virgo. Aqua Virgo supplied water to the new baths of Agrippa on the Campus Martius. In total, 700 pools, 500 fountains, and 130 reservoirs were built in Rome. Around the Baths, Agrippa built gardens with porticoes, sculpture, large pools and canals that served as drainages for the wetlands of the Campus Martius. This area became a place of entertainment and celebrations for the townspeople.

The name of Emperor Augustus is associated with the development of the main hills of Rome: Capitoline and Palatine. On the Capitoline Hill the hills of Jupiter and Apollo were built; on the Palatine Hill - a palace, a garden, big circus. The Romanum Forum was repaired and completed. The Basilica of Julia was completed, the memorial temple of Julius Caesar, the temple of Castor and Pollux were built, the Temple of Saturn was renovated, and the Temple of Concord was built. Paving of the forum continued.

The forum preserves material remains of the royal and republican periods of the city’s development: the atrium and the temple of the Vestals, the royal palaces, the Basilica Emilia, the temple of Saturn, the rostrum for speakers - the Rostra, etc.

Forum Romanum – wonderful architectural ensemble, reflecting a combination of Greek and Roman urban planning art. The absence of a rigid rectangular shape and symmetry, the presence of structures of different sizes, picturesqueness, openness and inclusion of the surrounding landscape.

New August Forum built perpendicular to Caesar's Forum. A space of 50 x 100 m, surrounded by a colonnade and exedra. At the end of the square is the temple of Mars Ultor (i.e. the avenger). The forum was surrounded by high 30-meter walls, isolating it from the city. Actually a semi-urban and semi-interior space was created, characteristic of imperial Rome. Had beautiful marble paving. Decorative decoration: expensive stone, bronze. It was a semi-urban, semi-interior space, where not all city residents were allowed.

During the Flavian dynasty (after 68), the vast Forum of Peace was built and

Colosseum (75 - 80). The dimensions of the oval base are 188 x 144 m - 50 thousand spectators, height 48.5 m (above the hills, which did not exceed 36 m). The huge bowl of the Colosseum took a central position in the city and turned into its unique static core. The link between the Colosseum and the Romanum Forum was Arch of Titus(architect Rabiriy). It was built on a break in the relief and recorded the direction of the sacred street(Via Sacra). On the opposite side of the forum at the foot Capitol Hill A small temple of Vespasian was built next to the Temple of Concord.

Flavian Palace on the Palatine Hill (architect Rabiriy) - a complex of premises grouped around the peristyle. Among them, the throne room, 29 x 35 m, especially stood out.

Associated with the name Rabiria Walk-through forum with the Temple of Minerva - surrounded by a high wall, had pavement (like the Forum of Augustus). The Flavian buildings are distinguished by a larger scale than the buildings of the beginning of the century, and were more consistent with the status of Rome as the capital of the empire.

2nd century AD. Rome has reached the pinnacle of its development - it has become the largest world center.

The population of Rome is 1 million people. Variegated social composition of the population:

· Upper layer:

senators (large landowners),

horsemen (officials, military leaders, landowners)

· A significant part of the Roman population consisted of - plebeians: traders, artisans, urban poor

· slaves- artisans, servants,

· big number freedmen lived in the city

· foreigners are peregrines, i.e. free persons who had neither Roman nor Latin citizenship.

In order to fight and prevent possible urban uprisings (since the bulk of the population belonged to the poor classes), the internal policy of the rulers was carried out in handouts to the people of “bread and circuses”. There were special food distribution points in the city.

The second means of distracting the masses from uprisings is numerous entertainments and shows → Construction of stadiums, baths, amphitheaters, circuses.

The increase in the population of Rome also affected the nature of residential architecture.

The main population lived in multi-storey buildings - insulah.

in the 1st century There are 1790 mansions in Rome

46,602 insulins.

Living rooms in insulas were grouped along a corridor system. Residential streets were narrow and dark, with a width of 5 m, the height of the houses was 20 m.

The traffic was pedestrian; rich townspeople were carried on covered stretchers.

The architecture of Ancient Rome as a distinctive art was formed by the time of the 4th-1st centuries. BC e. The architectural monuments of Ancient Rome now, even in ruins, captivate with their majesty. The Romans marked the beginning of a new era of world architecture, in which the main place belonged to public buildings designed for huge numbers of people: basilicas, baths (public baths), theaters, amphitheaters, circuses, libraries, markets. The list of building structures in Rome should also include religious ones: temples, altars, tombs.

Throughout the ancient world, the architecture of Rome has no equal in the height of engineering art, the variety of types of structures, the richness of compositional forms, and the scale of construction. The Romans introduced engineering structures (aqueducts, bridges, roads, harbors, fortresses, canals) as architectural objects into the urban, rural ensemble and landscape, and used new building materials and structures. They reworked the principles of Greek architecture, and above all the order system: they combined the order with an arched structure.

Of no less importance in the development of Roman culture was the art of Hellenism with its architecture, which gravitated toward grandiose scales and urban centers. But the humanistic principle, noble grandeur and harmony, which form the basis of Greek art, in Rome gave way to tendencies to exalt the power of emperors and the military power of the empire. Hence the large-scale exaggerations, external effects, and the false pathos of huge structures.

The variety of structures and the scale of construction in Ancient Rome changes significantly compared to Greece: a colossal number of huge buildings are erected. All this required a change in the technical foundations of construction. Performing the most complex tasks with the help of old technology has become impossible: in Rome, fundamentally new structures are being developed and are becoming widely used - brick-concrete, which make it possible to solve the problems of covering large spans, speed up construction many times over, and - what is especially important - limit the use of qualified craftsmen by moving construction processes are carried out by low-skilled and unskilled workers-slaves.

Around the 4th century. BC e. mortar began to be used as a binding material (first in rubble masonry), and by the 2nd century. BC has developed new technology construction of monolithic walls and vaults based on mortars and small aggregate stones. An artificial monolith was obtained by mixing mortar and sand with crushed stone called “Roman concrete”. Hydraulic additives volcanic sand- pozzolana (named after the area from which it was exported) made it waterproof and very durable. This caused a revolution in construction. This type of masonry was done quickly and made it possible to experiment with shape. The Romans knew all the benefits of baked clay and made bricks various forms, used metal instead of wood to ensure fire safety of buildings, rationally used stone when laying the foundation. Some secrets of Roman builders have not yet been solved; for example, the “Roman malta” solution is still a mystery to chemists.

The squares of Rome and other cities were decorated with triumphal arches in honor of military victories, statues of emperors and prominent public figures of the state. Triumphal arches are a permanent or temporary monumental frame of a passage (usually arched), a ceremonial structure in honor of military victories and other significant events. The construction of triumphal arches and columns was primarily of political significance. Trajan's 30-meter column was decorated with a spiral-shaped frieze 200 meters long, depicting Trajan's military exploits, and was crowned by a statue of the emperor, at the base of which an urn with his ashes was walled up.

The most significant in size domed structure of the ancient world is the Pantheon (from the Greek Pentheion - a place dedicated to all the gods). This is a temple in the name of all gods, personifying the idea of unity of the numerous peoples of the empire. main part The Pantheon is a Greek round temple, completed by a dome with a diameter of 43.4 m, through the openings of which light penetrates into the interior of the temple, striking in its grandeur and simplicity of decoration.

The basilica served as an administrative building where the Romans spent most of the day. The second part of the day was associated with rest and took place in the thermal baths. The baths were a complex combination of buildings and premises associated with recreation, sports and hygiene. They contained rooms for gymnastics and athletics, halls for recreation, conversations, performances, libraries, doctors’ offices, baths, swimming pools, retail premises, gardens and even a stadium. The baths accommodated about a thousand or more people.

Thermal baths were associated with the consumption of large amounts of water, so a special branch of the water supply system was connected to them - aqueducts (bridge-water pipeline). Heating was carried out by boiler installations in the basements. Aqueducts brought water to Rome over a distance of several tens of kilometers. Thrown across river beds, they presented an amazing picture of a continuous openwork arcade - single-tiered, two-tiered or even sometimes three-tiered. Made of stone, with clear proportions and silhouette, these structures are wonderful examples of the unity of architectural forms and structures.

Among the public buildings of Ancient Rome large group make up spectacular buildings. Of these, the most famous to this day is the Colosseum - an amphitheater, an oval-shaped giant bowl-shaped building. In the center there was an arena, and under the stands there were rooms for speakers. The Colosseum was built in the 70s - 90s. n. e. and accommodated 56 thousand spectators.

A large group of structures consisted of residential buildings various types, including palaces and country villas. One-story mansions (domuses) are especially characteristic of Rome. Apartment buildings - insulas - were also built. The interiors of both public and residential buildings were decorated with sculpture, paintings, and mosaics. The paintings visually expanded the space of the premises, being a beautiful and varied decor. The floors were decorated with mosaics. An important difference between Roman decor is the great complexity and richness of forms and materials. Using various ornamental motifs, they created the most bizarre combinations, changing construction systems, weaving additional and varied details into the compositions.

Ancient Rome sculpture

In the field of monumental sculpture, the ancient Romans remained far behind the Greeks and did not create monuments as significant as the Greek ones. But they enriched plastic art by revealing new aspects of life, developed a new everyday and historical relief, which formed the most important part of architectural decor.

The best legacy of Roman sculpture was the portrait. It developed as an independent type of creativity from the beginning of the 1st century. BC e. The Romans understood this genre in a new way: unlike Greek sculptors, they carefully and vigilantly studied the face of a particular person with his unique features. In the portrait genre, the original realism of Roman sculptors, observation and the ability to generalize observations in a certain artistic form were most clearly manifested. Roman portraits historically recorded changes in the appearance of people, their morals and ideals.

The Romans were the first to use monumental sculpture for propaganda purposes: they installed equestrian and pedestrian statues in forums (squares) - monuments to outstanding personalities. In honor of memorable events, triumphal structures were erected - arches and columns.

The Roman Empire is rightfully considered one of the most ancient and powerful civilizations. She gave the world a unique culture that continues to amaze and delight to this day. Of particular interest is the architecture of Ancient Rome, which was able to combine the best features of the ancient Greek and Etruscan heritage.

Features of the architecture of Ancient Rome

The architecture of Ancient Rome, as a distinctive art form, was formed in the period of the 4th-1st centuries. BC e. The ancient buildings only miraculously managed to survive to this day, despite numerous wars and natural disasters. Architectural monuments of ancient Roman architecture still captivate with their majesty and monumentality.

And this is not surprising, because it was the ancient Romans who marked the beginning of a new era in world architecture, starting the construction of impressive public buildings designed for a large number of people. These include theaters and amphitheatres, markets, libraries, baths, basilicas, and temples.

Rice. 1. Therma in Ancient Rome.

When building their state, the ancient Romans used the achievements of Greek and Etruscan masters. And if the ancient Greeks were subtle connoisseurs of beauty in architecture, then the Romans showed themselves to be practical and far-sighted builders. By borrowing useful ideas, they were able to create unique architecture, which, with its truly colossal scope, was able to embody all the power in stone great empire, become its symbol for many centuries.

The most famous monument Ancient Roman architecture is the Colosseum. This is a classic amphitheater of impressive size, which was used for entertainment events. Gladiator fights, fierce battles of large predators and other entertainment were held in its arena. In the 3rd century AD e. The Colosseum suffered severe damage during a major fire. But it was restored and has since attracted tourists from all over the world.

Rice. 2. Colosseum.

Achievements of the architecture of Ancient Rome

IN Ancient world the architecture of Rome was unparalleled. The enormous scale of construction, the variety of types of structures and compositional forms, and amazing engineering discoveries were able to exalt Ancient Rome and strengthen its power and glory.

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The most significant achievements of that period of history include:

Perhaps the most important invention of ancient Roman architects was concrete. The new building material consisted of water, lime and crushed stone. At first it was used in the construction of roads, but thanks to its amazing strength and fire-resistant qualities, concrete took a leading place in the construction architectural structures.

By pouring concrete into the space between two brick walls, architects achieved incredible structural stability, and thus were able to build multi-story buildings. The outside was covered with granite or marble and richly decorated with sculptural decorations.

Aqueducts - arched bridges - are one of the important achievements of Roman architects. Subsequently, their design served as a model for the construction of railway and other transport bridges.

Rice. 3. Ancient Roman aqueducts.

The solidity of ancient Roman architecture became possible thanks to the use of all kinds of arches, supports and curved ceilings in construction. The facades of amphitheaters and bridges were strengthened by rows of arcades - a characteristic feature of the architecture of Ancient Rome.
Vaulted structures were also a major invention. By connecting the arches together, Roman architects were able to strengthen the ceiling structure and thus obtain a vault. By building a series of arches in the form of a closed circle, they created a dome. Subsequently, these innovations served as the basis for the development of many architectural trends.

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While studying the report on the topic “Architecture of Ancient Rome,” we briefly learned the most important things about the architecture of Ancient Rome, found out what influenced its development, what characteristic features it had. We also learned what the most significant achievements of ancient Roman architects were, and what impact they had on the development of architectural trends throughout the world.

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The Roman Empire is one of the ancient civilizations peace. Its history begins more than three thousand years ago, and it flourished in the first centuries of our era. The collapse of ancient Roman civilization is associated with the raids of barbarians, which also marked the beginning of the destruction of an immense number of architectural structures of that time. Only a part of them have survived to this day, but this is enough to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of ancient cultural objects.

The tenth place among the most popular architectural attractions of Rome can be safely given to this unique structure. The reason for the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in 81 AD was the capture of Jerusalem a decade earlier by Emperor Titus.

The arch has one span and is located on the Sacred Way Via Sacra. A distinctive feature of the building is the amazing bas-relief inside the arch, which depicts a procession of soldiers showing off their trophies obtained in Jerusalem.

The arch has almost completely preserved its original appearance, with the exception of the absence of a statue of Titus himself, cast from bronze, at the top of the monument.

Thanks to its unique structure, this monument rises to 9th place in the ranking among others. The column is dedicated to Emperor Trajan, who came from ordinary legionnaires, who strengthened and strengthened the power of the Roman Empire during his reign.

The monument was erected in 113 AD. Inside it is spiral staircase, leading to observation deck capitals, and the outside of the column is decorated with relief episodes from battles during the war between Dacia and Rome.

The base of the monument, inside of which urns with ashes are located, is the tomb of Emperor Trajan, who died in 117 AD, and his life partner.

Trevi Fountain

Rome has preserved a large number of beautiful fountains, among which the most popular is the Trevi Fountain, for which it received eighth place on the list of attractions.

This building has amazing story. Back in 20 AD, Emperor Octavian Augustus established a water supply for residents with clean water, fed from a source 12 km away from the city. Until the 18th century, the building had a modest appearance, and only in 1762, after a thirty-year period of construction, it acquired its unique appearance.

The fountain is a stone sculpture of the sea god Neptune, surrounded by many characters, striking in the precision of their details and facial expressions.

Baths of Caracalla

Seventh place goes to the so-called “ bath complexes» Rome. They were created under Marcus Aurelius, the emperor nicknamed Caracalla, in the 3rd century AD.

The building had many compartments designed not only to wash, but also to completely relax, enjoy and rest your soul. The buildings included the baths themselves (therms), libraries, places for theatrical performances, and gymnasiums.

The purpose of this building was to attract people, popularize the thermal baths, and therefore the emperors sought not only to decorate the walls and floors of the building with unique mosaics and marble, but also collected numerous sculptures and other art treasures in it.

Catacombs

Numerous underground labyrinths Rome, which are ancient burial places of people canonized as saints.

The burials lasted from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD. During this period, about 750 thousand people were buried in the tombs, which number more than sixty.

Since the catacombs are located along the entire perimeter of the city in its different areas, there is no one specific entrance to them. You can get into the underground labyrinths by studying the official websites of the tombs.

Mausoleum of Hadrian

Another unique building of Ancient Rome - the Castel Sant'Angelo - falls into fifth place in the ranking. During its history, this place has managed to be a tomb, a prison, a residence of popes and a repository of their valuables, a castle, and is currently a museum and architectural monument.

The mausoleum was built in 139 AD by order of Emperor Hadrian himself, who revered art and architecture, for his own burial.

The structure is a twenty-meter high building, cylindrical in shape, and installed on a large square base. Initially, the top of the structure was decorated with a statue of Hadrian, represented in the form of the god Helios driving the chariot. A wonderful bridge decorated with big amount antique sculptures.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

Thanks to his status the main cathedral Catholic Church, this building rises to fourth place in the ranking of famous architectural structures in Rome.

The construction of the cathedral lasted more than forty years and was the result of the work of many famous sculptors and architects, such as Michelangelo Buonarotti, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderna.

The building has a stunning facade with a cornice topped with sculptures of the eleven apostles (except Peter), John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. And in front of the cathedral itself there are statues of Peter holding the key to the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Apostle Paul solemnly holding a sword in his hand.

The height of the dome mounted on the columns of the cathedral remains the highest in the world to this day, being 138 meters.

The cathedral amazes with its scale and a huge amount compartments lined with sculptures, paintings, stucco moldings. The costs of its construction were so enormous that Pope Leo X was forced to sell Albrecht of Brandenburg the rights to exercise indulgences in German lands, because of whose selfishness a European split occurred in the future.

The top three is opened by a temple built by order of Emperor Hadrian back in the 2nd century AD, and dedicated to all the Gods.

Like many other buildings of ancient Rome, the Pantheon is a tomb for the burial of many famous people(Umberto I and Raphael are buried here).

The most popular and unique feature of the structure is the circular opening located on the roof of the dome, through which a bright, wide beam of light enters the building at midday.

The temple is famous for its rich interior decoration with colored marble, beautiful frescoes and majestic decoration. And, despite the presence of thick walls and a massive dome, a feeling of lightness and integrity of all structures is created inside.

Second place in the ranking goes to the center of public life in Rome - a square built on the site of a once marshy area used for cemeteries, and drained using sewer systems, several centuries BC.

The Roman Forum featured such magnificent architectural structures as the Temple of Vespasian, the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Vesta.

The temple dedicated to the god Saturn, built 5 centuries BC, has undergone many changes associated with constant destruction and restoration, and has reached our time only in the form of several columns.

Approximately the same fate affected the Temple of Vespasian, built in 79 AD, of which only three high columns towering 15 meters above the ground now remain.

Only the Temple of Vesta, erected in honor of the goddess of the hearth, has reached our time. After numerous fires that broke out in the building, it was decided to close it, and therefore the building fell into disrepair and became very dilapidated.

This building rightfully ranks first on the list, since it has long been not just a majestic building, but an undeniable symbol of Ancient and modern Rome.

The amphitheater is a multi-tiered oval-shaped building with many arches of different sizes located along the perimeter. It took 8 years to build this structure. Each tier is strengthened by columns erected in different architectural styles (Corinthian, Ionic, Doric order).

The exterior of the Colosseum was decorated in marble, and the perimeter was decorated with stunning sculptures.

The most important persons of Rome and the emperor himself sat in the lower boxes for privileged persons.

Although only one third of the building remains intact, the Roman Colosseum remains one of the most stunning architectural structures in the entire world.

It is generally accepted that the primitive buildings of Rome came from the Etruscan people, perhaps even erected by them. This was logically a continuation of the line of Greek architecture. The buildings of the Roman Empire retained the basis of Etruscan architecture - the circular arch. A circular arch is a rounded stone covering that connected the abutments to each other. This helped to arrange the stones in a radius circle for even pressure on them. By using new building techniques, the Romans were able to inject creativity into new buildings. New theoretical knowledge helped to build large temples and the ability to erect multi-story houses and buildings. In terms of the introduction of cross vaults and box vaults, the Romans succeeded over the Greeks and made more sophisticated buildings.

In order for the arches to stand securely, columns, which were previously popular, were no longer used. Roman architects began to build huge walls and pilasters, and columns became simply decorative decorations. This was used almost everywhere, but there were also buildings in which the use of columns was more appropriate. The styles of the columns remained virtually unchanged; the Romans settled on the standard Greek version.

In general, Roman architecture was directly dependent on the Greek trends in architecture. However, the Romans tried more to emphasize their strength and independence to intimidate and suppress foreign peoples. They spared no expense in decorating their buildings; each structure was magnificent and richly decorated. At the same time, from the architect’s point of view, they tried to make each structure exemplary. Mostly buildings were built for practical needs, but temples also occupied an important place among the buildings.

History of the architecture of Ancient Rome

As an independent branch of world art, the architecture of Ancient Rome took a very long time to form, around the 4th-1st centuries. BC e. Despite the fact that many buildings of those times have already crumbled, they continue to fascinate with their remains and individual elements. The Roman Empire was one of the great, if not the greatest, which laid the foundation new era. Public places of that time could accommodate tens of thousands of people (basilicas, amphitheaters, trading markets), but there was always something to strive for. Religion also did not fade into the background; the list of building structures in Rome included temples, altars, and tombs.

Comparing with the whole world, even historians came to the conclusion that it was difficult or simply impossible to find equal rivals for the architecture of Rome and Roman engineering. Aqueducts, bridges, roads, fortresses, canals as architectural objects are only a small part of the list of what they used on all fronts. They changed the principles of ancient Greek architecture, primarily the order system: they combined the order with an arched structure.

Great importance in the formation of Roman culture was given to the style of the Hellenes, who were supporters of architecture on a huge scale and the development of urban centers. But humanism and the ability to inherit the harmonious Greek style were omitted in Rome, giving preference to the exaltation of powerful emperors. They sharply emphasized the power of the army. Hence all the pathos, which was the basis of many decorations of buildings and structures.

The variety of structures and the general scale of buildings in Rome are much higher than in Greece. The construction of huge buildings became possible thanks to changes in the technical principles of construction. This is how new brick and concrete structures appear. They made it possible to cover large spans, speeding up the construction process. It was also important that with the use of such construction methods, professional craftsmen were increasingly abandoned, and slaves and unskilled workers were trusted. This significantly reduced construction costs.

Stages of development of Roman architecture

1st period

The stages of development of Roman architecture can be divided into 4 periods. The first and shortest begins from the founding of ancient Rome and ends in the 2nd century. BC e. This period is not rich in architectural monuments, and those that appeared were the heritage of the Etruscans. Almost everything that was built during this period was publicly accessible. It brought collective benefits to the settlements. This category included canals for cleansing the city of sewage, which through them fell into the Tiber. The Mamertine prison and the first basilicas can also be attributed to buildings that were useful.

II period

The second stage is usually called “Greek”. From the middle of the 2nd century, a serious influence of Greek architecture on Roman architecture began. Strong influence remained until the end of republican rule (31 BC). It is believed that at this time the first marble temples began to appear, replacing the usual types of stones and travertines. In their design they were very similar to the Greek ones, but the architects tried to make noticeable differences.

Roman temples throughout these years looked oblong with 4 corners. The foundation was usually high, with an attached staircase along the front side. Climbing the stairs, you find yourself next to the columns. Going a little deeper, there is a door that leads to the main hall. The main lighting comes through this door, so it is often open.

Along with such temples of the ancient Greek type, the Romans erected temples in honor of the Gods round shape. These were mainly their own ideas using Greek elements. One of these can be considered the Temple of Portunus; surrounded by 20 columns, this historical object has survived to this day. The cone-shaped marble roof is a good example of the Roman individual style.

The number of communities of buildings included not only buildings associated with religion, but also many others:

Tabularium - a huge building designed to preserve archives;
The wooden theater of Scaurus is one of the most interesting buildings of this period. Includes over three hundred marble columns and bronze statues, could accommodate 80,000 visitors;
The first stone theater was built in honor of the goddess Venus.

All history about them disappeared with them. However, it is worth noting that using modern three-dimensional modeling technologies, it was proven that these structures were built very competently. For example, the “Stone Theater” was located in such a way that the stage faced the northeast. Since under Augustus traditionally performances and celebrations were held in morning time, all the sun's rays hit the stage, and not the theater visitors.

III period

In terms of significance, the most effective period in the history of Roman architecture. The beginning is considered from the arrival of Augustus to the republican throne and ends in 138 AD. e.

The technologies of the Romans began to actively use concrete. Begins new stage construction of basilicas, circuses, libraries. Trials were held there to identify the best chariot riders. Gaining popularity new type monumental art - triumphal arch. At the same time, the technology was constantly improved with the help of new constructions dedicated to new victories of the future empire.

Roman art was not as elegant as Greek structures, but the technical skill of construction remained top level, for centuries. The Colosseum (the most large amphitheater antiquity) and the Pantheon temple (construction in the name of the Gods).

The introduction of Greek architectural features gained mass popularity and continued to spread to the western and northern regions of Europe. Most Greek architects became famous with the help of the Romans, who commissioned Greek copies that were better preserved than the originals. The Romans, unlike the Greeks, adhered to their concept of sculptural traditions. They made busts of their ancestors to show prototypes of their family. The Greeks used such sculptures as works of art in the home. This simplicity and bright individuality of Roman portrait art shows it from a new side for us.

Over the course of this period, all architectural structures go through stages of development, improvement and increase the level of majesty. Elements of luxury are widely used and for the first time the features of oriental art begin to creep in.

IV period

After Hadrian's departure from power, Roman architectural art quickly began its decline. All those decorations that were previously used begin to seem unnecessary and inappropriate, and their use is less and less correct. This period continues until the complete establishment of Christianity and the retreat of paganism into the background. The period of decline is characterized by the fact that every ruler wants to go down in history with the help of majestic buildings.

This period also continues to be distinguished by oriental elements, which are increasingly visible in architectural art. They begin to dominate the classics of the genre. Constructions under the last rulers of the empire in such remote areas of dominion as Syria and Arabia testify especially eloquently to this. This was noticeable in the change in the swelling of the roof surface and the abundance of unnecessary accessories. Mysterious, fantastic forms were often erected - which were considered symbols east direction architecture.

The Greatness of Rome in the Temples

One of the first structures erected by Augustus, dedicated to the deified idol of Julius Caesar. Built in 29 BC. The temple was created in the modest style of the Ionic order. The site of Caesar's cremation was located separately. The decorated hall has designated places for speakers, which replaced the tribunal that existed here, concentrated for many years in the western part.

Altar of Peace

A monumental building of ancient Rome, which wrote into history the victory of Augustus over the Spaniards and Gauls. It was built in 13 BC. e. In appearance, it looked like a fence with right angles, 6 m high, in the center of which there was a step with an altar. Along the perimeter of the fence there were 2 through passages, with the help of which one could approach the altar. On the opposite walls were depicted the processions of Augustus to offer sacrifice to the altar.

The monument embodied particles of all the cultures that preceded Roman architecture. By the type of construction one can judge the Italian style, and by the arrangement of the ornament on the bottoms and tops of the Etruscan principles. The exquisite craftsmanship of the relief of the altar speaks of a strong Greek influence.

Temple of Mars Ultor

One of the largest temples in Rome. The width of the façade alone is about 35 m. The columns rise up to 18 m. The interior decoration was mainly made of marble with wooden ceilings. Having a solemn appearance inside, the temple evoked a feeling of delight among the people present in it. The date of creation of this historical monument is considered to be 2 BC. e. Greek elements can be traced in almost all stages of architecture.

Pantheon

The Pantheon Temple can be called a special place in Rome. The second name is “Temple of All Gods”. A lot of temples of ancient times were built by order of emperors, and the Pantheon was no exception. The Pantheon was dedicated primarily to the two gods Venus and Mars; they were considered the guardians of the Julian family. The building consisted of three parts, which were intertwined with each other. It was named after the architect who carried out the work, but it is believed that the Pantheon was his pseudonym. The Pantheon was built in 118-128, and over the years it was restored several times. Today, only a small part of it remains, which does not allow one to enjoy the full majesty of the temple of that period.

Ancient Rome sculpture

The monumental art of the ancient Romans was significantly inferior to the Greeks. The Romans never managed to create the greatest sculptural monuments and compete with the Greeks on these frontiers. But it was still possible to enrich plastic with its elements.

The best results were achieved in portrait art. The Roman people transferred their observation to every feature of man and his unique individuality. Ideal portraits were created, as well as portraits in which one could see the human negative and the realism of the artistic form. With the help of sculptures, they first launched propaganda for the culturalization of society. They built monuments to famous personalities and made structures of triumph.

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