In the Roman Empire, especially when it was in full swing, great changes were seen not only in its culture and its society, but in all those places where they carried their culture through expansion, and in many of those cases it continued in force despite of the decline of what was the best time of Rome.
One of those changes was architecture, which although originally had a fixation on simulating the Greek style, ended up evolving until it found its own style and, as we mentioned before, it reached practically all parts of Europe.
Characteristics of Roman architecture
Roman architecture is essential to understand not only how that society worked, but also how they thought. Some of the most important points within the characteristics of Roman architecture are:
- in its architecture, monuments are very importantthat is because to represent the importance and immortality of the Empire, they wanted gigantic works.
- Within Roman architecture it is used the overlap between the opening of the arch the lintel.
- Architecture in Rome was not just decorative, it was intended to be useful, practical and functional. That is why the Romans gave great importance and developed the baths, roads,… among others.
- It is considered as a dynamic architecture, thanks to some elements such as the arches and vaults that we can see throughout the Empire.
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the romans used many different materials such as stones, concrete, clay bricks and wood. In addition, if the materials were weak or of low quality, they were covered with marble plates or paintings.
- Among its decorative elements, the garlands stand out, in addition to using a Ionic and Tuscan order. In many of their buildings we can see them divided as follows: ground floor (Tuscan), middle floor (Ionic) and upper floor (Corinthian).
Many times the Roman architecture was inspired by the Greek for its creations and that is why they can be similar, but these are some of their differences.
styles of roman architecture
With so many years of history and so similar to the art of Greece, over the years 4 well-differentiated classic styles can be recognized within Roman architecture.
- Doric Roman Style: He is the oldest of all, he comes from the town with the same name. From the Greek, the simpler the betternot only because it symbolizes a greater impression of being robust and durable, but that simplicity is related to classic beauty.
- Ionic Roman Style: It can be seen without problems in the columns of the buildings, where the scrolls stand out. The scrolls are the shape they have simulating a spiral.
- Corinthian Roman Style: Within all the classic styles, this is the one with the most ornamentation. In it we can see plant decoration which makes the end of the columns have a curved shape.
- Composite Roman Style: It is a style that mixes various elements of the rest and belongs to the group of the Tuscan order. From the outside and without looking too closely, it has a certain resemblance to the Corinthian style, only here the bases have more decoration and its capital seems to be placed upside down if we compare them with others.
Within the styles, we must take another aspect into account, which are the different types of constructions, which are these:
- Basilicas: They had a rectangular base with naves on their sides, where the entrances were located. For the Romans, the basilicas were places where justice was dispensed.
- Triumphal Arches: some constructions that were elevated with columns and that wanted to highlight some of the most important events in history, were used to pay homage.
- Amphitheaters: with a semicircular shape, they were one of the preferred by the Romans and therefore, one of the most abundant.
- Baths: They are not what we know as hot springs today, but rather public baths.
- temples: they were similar to the temples of Greece, but smaller in size.
Evolution of Roman architecture
Roman architecture has not only evolved during its most glorious stage, but has also been converted over the years and adapted to all kinds of cultures, including climates.
Thanks to this architecture, years later we would have the pre-Romanesque and Romanesque, which can be seen in areas as far away from Rome as the current Scandinavian countries or even in Ireland. In other areas of the world, such as in the East, architecture evolved to become the Byzantinewhile in areas with Arab culture and architecture they were not much appreciated in outdoor areas, but in their homes, in addition to adopting and transforming their bridges.
Years later, in Europe, and as a result of the rise of the Italian Renaissance, some more classic styles resurfaced for years. especially thanks to the reinterpretation of Vitruviuswhich added elements of classical Greek.
As a result of the conquest of the Roman Empire throughout the European territory, many of these territories, as they evolved, were transforming these architectural styles, until giving us some styles such as:
- Palladian architecture: one of the easiest to find throughout Europe.
- Georgian architecture: quite popular in the United States, especially before its independence.
- Regency architecture: Can be seen in parts of the UK.
- republican architecture: in force even today in areas of Latin America.
Roman architecture is very important in our current importance, we are not referring only to the shape of our buildings, but to the bridges or the roads through which we pass. The Romans have been one of the most hardworking and intelligent peoples and that in turn, have left us the rest of humanity.