Roman Architecture
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Roman Architecture University of the People 2015 October 15, 2015 Roman Architecture Page 2
Roman architecture is world renowned and recognized for its stunning and elaborate arches. Roman arches were used to build bridges, sewers, amphitheaters, aqueducts, triumphal arches, temples and palaces. Many believe that the arch is the most important architectural invention in history (Muscato, n.d.). This paper will explore the development of the arch as well as the development of concrete and its role in Roman architecture.
Concrete, like the arch, was an important invention or discovery in Ancient times. The use of concrete allowed the Romans to create sculpted shapes like columns or arches and build circular buildings such as the Pantheon (Kamm, n.d.)
The first documented use of concrete by the Romans was in the town of Cosa sometime after 273 BC. Ancient Roman concrete was a mixture of lime mortar, sand, water, and stones. The ancient builders placed these ingredients in wooden frames where it hardened and bonded to a facing of stones or...bricks” (Architecture in
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The arch not only provides visual interest, it provides strength. The arches allowed wide chasms to be crossed while conserving materials and providing weight distribution to make a sturdy and reliable structure. The arch strengthened bridges and large buildings. The arch allowed a large structure to be open and airy while still remaining stable and secure. Another reason for the arches was strengthening the Roman aqueducts. When the pipes had to cross over uneven land, arches were erected to sustain the weight of the pipes from the ground. The aqueducts had to have a consistent, gradual slope for the water to flow through them. The use of the arch helped to create this gradual flow. Rome used hundreds of miles of aqueducts to provide the amount of water needed for its population (Muscato,