Roman Architecture, Research Paper Example

The ancient Romans were great builders, engineers and architects. They constructed many roads and beautiful buildings as they continued to expand their empire. Romans were the first people to invent roads, arches, aqueducts and concrete technology. In commemorating the Roman emperor victories, several arches were constructed in Rome. These were designed using statuary and stone carvings. Some of these marvelous architecture pieces include Colosseum, Pantheon and Circus Maximus. Other greatest achievement of Roman Empire architecture and technology were in vault, dome and arch design.

Pantheon is a building in Rome. Marcus Agrippa commissioned the building of Pantheon as a temple to gods of Ancient Rome. It was later rebuild by Emperor Hadrian in 126 AD. Pantheon is a circular building with three ranks of Corinthian columns; they are made of granite. There are eight columns in the first rank and two groups of four columns behind; there is also a pediment opening into the rotunda. There is a concrete dome that has an opening to the sky usually referred to as oculus. After 2000 years since the Pantheon was build, its dome is still the largest unreinforced dome in the world today. This is a clear indication of roman achievements in engineering and architecture (Wilson-Jones 12).

Another Roman achievement in architecture and engineering is the Roman coliseum in the center of Rome, Italy. It was initially known as Flavian Amphitheatre. It is one of the largest and greatest works of Roman engineering and architecture. It had the capability of holding 50000 spectators. It was usually used for public spectacles and gladiatorial contests. Its construction started at around 70 and 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD (Hopkins and Beard 25).

Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman venue that was used for mass entertainment and chariot racing. It is located in the valley between the palatine and Aventine hills in Rome. It was largest and first chariot racing stadium in the ancient Rome. It can hold over 250000 people. It is 621 m in length and 118 m in width, it is used as a viewing place by the Roman. This is a clear indication or sign of Roman achievements in both engineering and architecture. All those roman works are good examples of both aesthetically and engineering feat (Roth 12).

Works Cited

Hopkins and Beard Mary. The Colosseum. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2005.

Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1993.

Wilson-Jones, Mark. Principles of Roman Architecture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003.