FREE ESSAY ON EARLY ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

EARLY ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

DAVID HATFIELD
ART HISTORY I
FALL 2000
The Romans gained much of their engineering skill from the Etruscans and drew on Etruscan
and Asian models for the semicircular arch. From them, the Romans learned the use of the
keystone arch, which enabled them to build extremely strong and durable structures. Many
of these engineering and architectural projects are still standing. Some are still in use
after two thousand years like this bridge in Spain. 
Early Roman architects were influenced by Greek post-and-lintel construction. But the
Greek design was limited in its capabilities to span large distances and being able to
bear heavy loads while not falling down of its own weight. Post and lintel construction
comprises a flat piece of stone bridging a space between two upright supports. Post and
lintel supports have a flaw. When a heavy weight is placed on the middle of the span too
much stress may be put on the stone and it can break in the middle. 
The Romans solved this problem by using a type of construction called voussoir arch with
keystone. The engineering principle of the arch is quite simple. The circle is the
strongest structural shape. The arch is just half of this perfect form. 
To create a voussoir arch, tapered stone blocks were cut then arranged like the diagram
at the right. It was then stood up on its ends. The ends rested on piers made of stone
blocks or bricks mortared together with pozzolana cement in the typical Roman arch
bridge. The cement was named after a local mountain that the ingredients of the cement
came from. 
The weight of the stone and concrete of the bridge itself compressed the tapered stones
together, making the arch an extremely strong structure. During construction, the
voussoir's were supported by a temporary wooden frame until the keystone was inserted.
The Roman invention of the arch allowed architects to build larger structures than ever
before. The extension of the arch idea lead to the development of domes, alcoves, and
soffits.
The arches and its derivatives were also employed in Triumphal Arches, aqueducts,
bridges, houses, theaters, exedra, nynpheum, basilicas, thermal baths and temples. The
Coliseum is a prime example of the many uses of arches. The arches allowed for a tall and
wide structure to accommodate many people. The wide arches also enabled people to move in
and out of the building safely and quickly. They also provided spaces for visitors to sit
and places to display works of art.
The Romans took the form of the simple arch and developed it into many forms. With their
insight, modern day architecture has been functionally advanced its beauty enhanced and
variety diversified.