What distinguished Roman architecture?

Answer 1

The Romans adopted the Greek orders (styles) for columns and capitals (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) and the Greek way of building temples. However, the also revolutionised architecture in what has been called the Roman architectural revolution or concrete revolution, which used concrete, the arch and the vault.

Although concrete had been used by other peoples before the Romans, it was used only rarely. The Romans were the first to make a large scale use of it. They were also the first to make large scale use of the barrel (simple) arch and the vaulted arch or vault (two to four intersecting arches). The arch has a great load bearing capacity and the vault is suited to building large roofs. Roman concrete was as strong but different than modern concrete. It was less fluid and had to be layered by hand. Building in concrete was quicker and cheaper than building laborious masonry walls and did not require skilled workers. These three elements enabled the Romans to go beyond the post-and-lintel construction methods of the Greeks.

The use of columns did have an influence in Roman life. The Romans continued to build temples the Greek way. They also liked to enclose their squares with quadriporticos; colonnaded porticos along the four sides of the square. The gardens of the houses of the rich were also surrounded by quadriporticos. This was modelled on the houses of rich Greeks. The Romans also still used columns for the architecture of large buildings. Their basilicas (large public buildings) had two piers (rows of columns with or without high arches at the top) along the central area of these rectangular structures which supported the roof and two aisles on along the sides of this area. At one end of the building there was an exedra (Greek) or absis (Latin). This was a Greek architectural feature, a semi-circular recess or plinth covered by a semi-dome set in the walls of a building. The architectural structure of the Roman basilica provided the model for the Christian churches of western Europe. Nowadays we call the exedra/absis apse until very recently.

Answer 2

The Greek architecture is the basis of the Roman's architecture.

*Roman architecture was influenced by Greek architecture, but was changed into a new style. Both Roman and Greek architecture are considedered classical, although the Romans invented new building material such as concrete and cement, while the Greeks used limestone and marble.

* Greek Roman

rectangular circular, oval, complex

made from marble concrete

Structure of post and beam arcuated with arch, vault and dome

distinguised by columns arch

low-pitched soaring

most important : spirit of moderation ostentation (flamboyant)

Answer 3

The Romans only adopted the Greek orders (styles) for making columns (Doric, Ionian and Corinthian) and modelled their temples on the Greek ones. For the rest, they went beyond Greek architecture.

The Romans effected what historians call the Roman architectural revolution or concrete revolution. This involved the extensive use of concrete, the barrel (simple) arch and the vaulted arch. These three elements enabled the Romans to go beyond Greek methods of construction which used cut-stone and post-and-beam or post-and-lintel structures.

The Romans developed a type of concrete (opus caementicium) which was as resistant as modern concrete and also set underwater (and therefore could also be used to build docks for ports, dams, aqueducts and bridges). It was less fluid than modern concrete and had to be layered by hand. It was made by mixing a volcanic rock called pozzolana (which is named after Pozzuoli, a suburb of Naples) with lime as a binder and the addition of rubble from stones, bricks or pottery shreds as aggregates which added body to it. Concrete had technical and practical advantages. It was exceptionally strong and could span great distances when shaped into arches, vaults and domes as it could be moulded. It was layered into a formwork and it took the shape of its container. It did not require skilled labour and therefore was cheaper. It was much faster for construction than laborious masonry walls. It was safer because concrete vaulted roofing was fireproof, unlike the wooden-beamed roofs of traditional construction post-and-lintel methods. The potential of the previously little used arch and vault, was fully exploited for the first time.

The Romans were the first to fully appreciate the advantage of these structures. The (simple, barrel) arch has a strong load- bearing capacity. The vault (vaulted arch) has an even greater load-bearing capacity and its structure is suited to support large roofs. Their construction in concrete made them easier to build and even stronger. This led to the use larger and monumental arches and vaults on a grand scale. However, the Romans did not abandon masonry arches and vaults. The vaulted arch came into two forms: the groin arch is formed by two to four intersecting barrel (simple) arches and the rib arch, where the intersecting arches were not of the same diameter; the ribbed arch has intersected arches of different diameter.

Answer 4

The difference is mainly in the columns, that is the number of them and their placement. The Romans generally used columns only in the front of their temples, while the Greeks surrounded their temples with columns. The Greek temples could also have a double row of columns, while the Romans only had the single row of columns across the front of the temple. Another difference is the structure itself. The Greeks built their temples on a foundation or base that was no more than three steps high while the Romans liked a high elevation with a large staircase in front.

Answer 5

There are several elements that distinguished Roman architecture. The most common one were the fluted pillars which are referred to as columns.

Answer 6

Romans created more realistic portraits. Greek sculptures idealized the humane form, using athletes as models of perfection.

Answer 7

Roman architecture is not simular. The Romans were more practical. They made their builldings out of bricks and covered it in marble.