This paper will discuss the developments and uses of concrete and arches in the Roman civilization. What benefits they provided and their importance in the society.
“Romans had a profound love for Greek architecture specifically the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian architectural columns. The Romans added a hybrid of the three called Composite. The reason they were able to indulge in their architectural ambitions was due to the invention of concrete. The Roman concrete was based from pozzolana, a volcanic earth found near the Greek settlement of Puteoli and later found all over Rome.” “With pozzolana being mixed with lime and chips of rock and broken bricks, the Romans created concrete. They used this to start to build permanent massive structures and because concrete makes for a better wall filler than rubble, irregular shaped stones were able to be used as wall facings.” There were three types of wall created with concrete and irregular shaped stones. “Opus incertum used irregular shaped stones as a
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Opus reticulatum used square based pyramids of stone inserted with the heads facing inward and opus testaceum used triangular bricks.” Roman building techniques also allowed them to construct circular temples. The Pantheon is the most recognized of these. Other larger permanent structures include bath houses, theatres and temples. Roads and bridges were also constructed to connect Rome to her vast network of towns.” Concrete was also used to quickly construct walls to barricade a town in battle. Concrete would face the outer layers of rubble, coating larger base stones.”
3 Arches allowed an entirely new way to construct bridges that could be built lighter and larger without it collapsing in on its own weight. “Monumental solitary triumphal arches were also constructed providing more of the grandeur architectural style that the Romans adorned their cities in.” One of the biggest uses of the archway was the