The Roman state goes through a difficult path of development. It first conquers Italy (V-III centuries BC), then Carthage (II century BC) and, finally, Greece (II century BC).

The architecture of Ancient Rome changed markedly throughout the existence of this mighty state.

Many features formed the basis of Roman art. The Etruscans were the forerunners of the Romans. In the middle of the first millennium, they already had their own culture. Etruscan temples are similar to Greek periptera, but the front facade is more emphasized in them: there is a platform with columns in front of the entrance, and a multi-stage staircase leads to it. When erecting gates, the Etruscans often used a semicircular arch, which the Greeks almost did not know. Their houses had a room in the center with an open square hole in the roof in the middle and walls black with soot. Apparently there was a hearth. This gave reason to call this room an atrium (from the word "ater" - "black").

Atrium - a room with a hole in the roof

In culture, the official state flow of a Hellenized society and popular tastes, dating back to the Italic past, collide.

In general, the Roman state is isolated, opposed to a private person. It was famous for its system of government and law.

The army was the basis of world power. The supreme power was concentrated in the hands of the commanders, who had little regard for the interests of the whole people and the whole state, and the cities were built on the model of camps.

According to the views of Vitruvius (the treatise was written in 27-25 BC), architecture falls into two categories: construction and proportions (the ratios of the individual parts of the building serve as its basis). And the aesthetic beginning is only in the order, the columns attached to the structures.

In the era of Augustus (30 BC - 14 AD), such architectural monuments as the “square house” in Nimes (South France) or the temple of Fortune Virilis, belonging to the pseudo-peripter type, were built. The pseudoperipter is similar to the peripter, but the cella is set back slightly. The temple is placed on a high podium; a wide staircase leads to its entrance (this determines the similarity of the pseudoperipter with Etruscan temples). Only in the Roman temple are the classical forms of the order more strictly observed: fluted columns, Ionian capitals, entablature.

Maison Carré "Square House" in Nimes (France). 1st century BC e.

Temple of Fortune Virilis. 1st century BC e.

Types of housing for wealthy citizens

The originality of Roman architecture responded even more strongly in a new type of dwelling in the spirit of eclecticism: the Italian atrium and the Hellenistic peristyle. The richest Pompeian buildings, such as the houses of Pansa, the Faun, the Lorea Tiburtina, the Vettii, belong to this type. The peristyle served more as an ornament to a rich estate than as a place for the diverse life of its inhabitants, as it was in the houses of Greece.

Unlike the Greek dwelling, all the rooms were lined up in a strict order on the sides of its main axis.

Atrium

Peristyle of the House of the Vettii, seen from the great triclinium.

Portico and garden in the house of Lorea Tiburtina

House of the Faun (Villa of Publius Sulla). present tense

House of the Faun (Villa of Publius Sulla). That's the way it used to be

Villa Publius Sulla (House of the Faun). Inner garden with peristyle and Ionic order

Pompeian villas enchant with the high perfection of applied art. But there slips a lot of vanity and tasteless luxury: painting walls with copies of famous Greek paintings of the 4th century, imitation of Egyptian flat decorations, or, conversely, creating a deceptive impression of windows.

The era of August is characterized by stylization and eclecticism. The Altar of Peace in the forum belongs to the best monuments of this time. The difference in relief is immediately evident: the figures are placed in several planes, which gives a picturesque look, but between the figures there is no sense of space, air, or light environment, as in Hellenistic reliefs.

Altar of Peace, built in honor of the Goddess of Peace. Indoor museum.

Relief of one of the walls of the altar

The classical current under Augustus was the main one, but not the only one. In the II century. BC. supporters of the Old Testament antiquity opposed the imitation of the Greeks.

Engineering structures. aqueducts

Among the Roman monuments there is a large section devoted to engineering structures. Thus, many elements of urban improvement appeared: the paved Appian Way, water supply, aqueduct.

Guard bridge at Nimes Pont du Gard

Pompeii. Italy

Rome

Lead plumbing

Forum

Art becomes in the hands of sovereigns a means of strengthening their authority. Hence the spectacular nature of architectural structures, the large scale of construction, the predilection for huge sizes. There was more shameless demagogy in Roman architecture than genuine humanism and a sense of beauty.

The most majestic type of building was the forum. Each emperor sought to perpetuate himself with such a structure.

Emperor Trajan's forum reaches almost the size athenian acropolis. But in their design, the acropolis and the forum are profoundly different. The stiff order, the predilection for strict symmetry is expressed on a huge scale.

Forum of Emperor Trajan. Italy

Roman builders operated not with volumes, like the builders of the Athenian acropolis, but with open interiors, within which small volumes stood out (columns and temples). This increased role of the interior characterizes the Roman forum as a stage of great historical significance in the development of world architecture.

Forum, in the center - the columns of the temple of Saturn, behind them the triumphal arch of Septimius Severus

The photo on the left shows the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, the largest building ever built in the forum in 312.

The Temple of Peace, also known as the Forum of Vespasian (Latin: Forum Vespasiani), was built in Rome in 71 AD. e.

Tabularium building (state archive) in the forum, 78 BC e. - the earliest of the structures that have survived to this day, in which the system of Roman cell architecture was applied, combining two opposite constructive principles - a beam and a vaulted structure.

urban layout

Roman cities, like Ostia in Italy or Timgrad (in Africa), resemble military camps in the strict correctness of their plan. Straight streets are bordered by rows of columns that accompany any movement in the city. The streets end with huge triumphal arches. Living in such a city meant always feeling like a soldier, being able to mobilize.

Timgrad is an ancient Roman city in North Africa, located on the territory of modern Algeria. 100 AD e.

triumphal arches

Triumphal arches were a new type of Roman architecture. One of the best is the Arch of Titus. Arches were erected in order to serve as a memory of victories among generations. In the construction of this arch, there are two types of order: one implied - on which rests a semicircular arch, separated from it by a cornice; another order, marked by mighty semi-columns, is placed on a high podium and gives the whole architecture the character of pompous solemnity. Both orders permeate each other; the cornice of the first merges with the cornices of the niches. For the first time in the history of architecture, a building is composed of the relationship of two systems.

The predilection of the Romans for the impression of heaviness and strength is reflected in the arch of Titus in the huge entablature and attic. The sharp shadows from the eaves add tension and strength to the architectural forms.

amphitheaters

The amphitheaters served as an arena for entertaining and spectacular spectacles for a crowded crowd: performances of gladiators, fisticuffs. Unlike the Greek theaters, they did not give high artistic impressions. For example, the building of the Colosseum, which had 80 exits and this allowed the audience to quickly fill the rows and exit just as quickly. Inside, the Colosseum makes an irresistible impression with its clarity and simplicity of forms. From the outside it was decorated with statues. The whole Colosseum expressed restraint, at the same time with impressiveness. For the sake of this, its three open tiers are crowned with a fourth, more massive, dissected only by flat pilasters.

The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) today. Year of construction -80 AD e.

The original appearance of the Colosseum

Colosseum inside

In the construction of the Pantheon, all the centuries-old experience of Roman construction was used: its double walls with rubble mass inside, unloading arches, a dome with a diameter and height of 42 m. Architecture had never known such a huge artistically designed space before. The special strength of the Pantheon lies in the simplicity and integrity of its architectural compositions. It does not have a complex gradation of scale, an increase in features that give increased expressiveness.

Thermae

The needs of urban life were created in the middle of the 1st century. AD a new type of buildings - baths. These buildings responded to various needs: from the culture of the body to the need for mental food, reflection in solitude. Outside, the terms had an unremarkable appearance. The main thing in them is. With a large variety of plan forms, the builders subordinated them to symmetry. The walls were faced with marble - red, pink, purple or pale green.

Ruins of the Baths of Emperor Caracalla (Antonin's Baths). III century (212-217 years)

Roman art completes the history of ancient art.

THEME: GRADOS

LECTURE 5

Roman urban planning is a direct continuation of Greek urban planning traditions.

There are three periods in the history of Rome :

1) royal (753 - 510 BC),

2) republican (510 - 27 BC),

3) imperial (from 27 BC to 476 AD)

Most character traits Roman urban planning evolved under the influence of Etruscan culture. Etruscan cities had a regular layout (the city of Misa - modern Marzabotto) and a high culture technical equipment streets. The width of the main streets was 15 m, they had paving, raised sidewalks, stones - transitions, channels for drains. Everything is made of stone.

In (616 - 510 BC) residential buildings with atriums and temples on high podiums were built in Rome. The Tuscan order began to take shape. Played a big role

Hellenistic traditions. Such types of structures were borrowed from the Greeks, such as: theater, stadium, palestra, peristyle of residential buildings.

A special section of Roman urban art is the completion of Greek ensembles by Roman architects in almost all cities of Greece: Olympia, Miletus, Athens, Alexandria of Egypt, Pergamum, etc.

The Romans treated ancient Greek architecture with care, built mostly ordinary buildings, believing that they improved the unfinished ensembles of the past. The desire for completeness and integrity of the architectural and planning composition was one of the main artistic principles of Roman urban planning.

The emergence of Rome is associated with the name of King Romulus, who founded the city on the Palatine Hill (“Square Rome”) according to Etruscan customs (fortune-telling, signs, furrow, ditch à fortress walls. Inside the walls is a city - urbs, around the walls is a pomerium.

AT royal period in the valley between the hills there is a public center, after the drainage of the valley (the oldest hydraulic structure in Rome - the cloaca of Maxim).

The city spreads to neighboring hills, a radial system of roads appears, in 578-533. BC. the city is surrounded by walls that surround most of the hills.

AT republican period Temples arose on the Ancient Forum and the Capitoline Hill. Residential buildings - from raw bricks and wood.

Imperial period associated with the Punic Wars (Punis - the Phoenicians who founded Carthage). As a result of the 1st Punic War (264 - 241 BC), the islands of Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia were conquered.

2 - oh - (218 - 201 BC) - Spain

3 - her - (149 - 146 BC) - Carthage

During the wars, roads and bridges were built and paved. Along the roads are placed road poles - milliarii. The starting point was a pillar on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.

Along the roads at a distance of a day's march, the Romans built cities like military camps. In the center was the praetorium - the tent of the commander-in-chief - the praetor. On the left side is the tent of the treasurer (quaestor) - the Questorium. On the right side of the forum is the tent of the legate (praetor's assistant). Along the main street were the tents of the tribunes, the main commanders - six in each legion and the prefects - (chiefs - caretakers).

the main street- 30 m wide, Pretoria Street - 15 m. The total length of the camp for two legions is 645 m.

Cities - colonies.

The breakdown of the urban area began with determining the geometric center of the city and determining the direction of the two main streets "cardo" - north - south direction and "decumanus maximus" - west - east. In the future, the orientation was not so strict. Parallel to the directions of the main streets, streets of secondary importance were laid.

Decumanus maximus - 12 m wide.

Cardo - 6 m

Secondary streets - 4 m

Main intersection of the city tetras- different special architectural structure - tetrapil- a cubic building with through passages.

The tetrapil was replaced by four monumental pillars located at the main city crossroads.

Entrances to the city were marked with triumphal arches (beautiful city gates).

The size of cities did not exceed 14.7 hectares (Cremona). Bologna and Florence (10 ha).

Aosta (26 - 25 BC) 724 x 572 m - the size of the city.

Large quarters: 143 x 181 m. Amphitheater, theater, Baths, temple. Triumphal Arch.

By the beginning of the imperial period, Rome was a city with land and sea roads diverging from it, connecting it with such remote territories as North Africa, Asia Minor, Spain, Britain, etc. Fortified regular cities were located along the roads. Rome resembled a huge spider, which "stuffed" a vast territory with a web of roads and settlements, stretching more than 4 thousand kilometers.

At the end of the 1st century BC. Octavian Augustus took over all military power (imperium) and received the right to be called emperor.

This was The Golden Age of Theme Art.

Poets: Virgil, Horace, Tibull, Ovid. Geographer and historian Strabo.

Architect Vitruvius. Ten books on architecture. Vitruvius summed up the vast experience of Hellenistic and Roman architecture.

In the 1st book, he talks about the main requirements for choosing a place to found a city :

Favorable climatic and topographic conditions;

Availability drinking water;

Water and land road systems for trade;

Fertile land.

According to Vitruvius, in the field of aesthetics, architects must adhere to ordination (order system), reasonable disposition (planning), compliance with harmony, symmetry (proportionality), decorum (correspondence) and distribution (distribution of resources).

27 BC Rome developed freely between the hills where the forums were built, on the Campus Martius, where spectacular buildings, porticos and temples arose. On the hills, among gardens and picturesque nature, there were patrician villas.

Construction in the city was carried out at private expense, even the paving of roads. Particularly famous for his engineering activities Agrippa, who repaired the ancient aqueducts - Aqua Apia, Anio Vetus, Aqua Ancia, Aqua Tepula - and built new ones - Aqua Julia and Aqua Virgo. Aqua Virgo supplied the new baths of Agrippa on the Champ de Mars with water. In total, 700 pools, 500 fountains, 130 reservoirs were built in Rome. Around the Baths, Agrippa arranged gardens with porticos, sculpture, large pools and channels that served as drainage for the marshy area of ​​the Campus Martius. This area has become a place of entertainment and festivities for the townspeople.

The name of Emperor Augustus is associated with the development of the main hills of Rome: Capitoline and Palatine. The hills of Jupiter and Apollo were built on the Capitoline Hill; on the Palatine Hill - a palace, a garden, a large circus. The Romanum Forum has been repaired and completed. The Basilica of Julius was completed, the memorial temple of Julius Caesar, the temple of Castor and Pollux were built, the temple of Saturn was renovated, and the temple of Concord was built. Forum paving continued.

As part of the forum, the material remains of the royal and republican periods of the development of the city have been preserved: the atrium and temple of the Vestal Virgins, the Royal Halls, the Basilica of Emilia, the temple of Saturn, the tribune for speakers - the Rostra, etc.

Forum Romanum is wonderful architectural ensemble, reflecting a combination of Greek and Roman urban art. The absence of a rigid rectangular shape and symmetry, the presence of structures of different sizes, picturesqueness, openness and inclusion of the surrounding landscape.

New Augusta Forum built perpendicular to Caesar's forum. Space 50 x 100 m, surrounded by a colonnade and exedra. At the end of the square is the temple of Mars Ultor (ie the avenger). The forum was surrounded by high 30-meter walls that isolated it from the city. Actually a semi-urban and semi-interior space was created, characteristic of imperial Rome. It had beautiful marble paving. Decorative decoration: expensive stone, bronze. It was a semi-urban semi-interior space, where not all residents of the city were allowed.

Under the Flavian dynasty (after 68), an extensive forum of the World was built and

Colosseum (75 - 80 years). The dimensions of the oval base are 188 x 144 m - 50 thousand spectators, the height is 48.5 m (higher than the hills, which did not exceed 36 m). The huge bowl of the Colosseum occupied a centering position in the city and turned into its kind of static core.. The link between the Colosseum and the Romanum forum was arch of Titus(architect Rabiry). It was built on a break in relief and fixed the direction of the sacred street.(Via Sacra). On the opposite side of the forum, at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, next to the Temple of Concord, a small temple of Vespasian was built.

Flavian Palace on the Palatine Hill (architect Rabirius) - a complex of premises grouped around the peristyle. Among them, the throne room, 29 x 35 m, stood out in particular.

Associated with the name Rabiria passing forum with the temple of Minerva - surrounded by a high wall, had tiling (like the forum of Augustus). The buildings of the Flavians are of a larger scale than those of the beginning of the century, and more in line with the status of Rome as the capital of the empire.

2nd century AD. Rome has reached the pinnacle of its development - has become a major world center.

The population of Rome is 1 million people. Variegated social composition of the population:

· Upper layer:

senators (large landowners),

horsemen (officials, military leaders, landowners)

A significant part of the Roman population was - plebeians: merchants, artisans, urban poor

· slaves- artisans, servants,

· big number freedmen lived in the city

· foreigners are peregrines, i.e. free persons who did not have either Roman or Latin citizenship.

In order to fight and prevent possible urban uprisings (because the bulk of the population belonged to the poor classes) - the conduct of the internal policy of the rulers - in handouts to the people of "bread and circuses." There were special food distribution points in the city.

The second means of distracting the masses from the uprisings is numerous entertainments and spectacles → Construction of stadiums, thermal baths, amphitheatres, circuses.

The increase in the population of Rome also affected the character of residential architecture.

The main population huddled in multi-storey buildings - insulakh.

in the 1st century in Rome 1790 mansions

46,602 insulas.

Living rooms in insulas were grouped according to the corridor system. Residential streets were narrow and dark, with a width of 5 m, the height of the houses was 20 m.

The movement is pedestrian, wealthy citizens were carried on covered stretchers.

The architecture of Ancient Rome, as an original art, was formed by the time of the 4th-1st centuries. BC e. The architectural monuments of Ancient Rome now, even in ruins, conquer with their majesty. The Romans initiated a new era of world architecture, in which the main place belonged to public buildings designed for huge numbers of people: basilicas, baths (public baths), theaters, amphitheaters, circuses, libraries, markets. The list of building structures of Rome should also include religious ones: temples, altars, tombs.

In everything ancient world the architecture of Rome has no equal in terms of the height of engineering art, the variety of types of structures, the richness of compositional forms, and the scale of construction. The Romans introduced engineering structures(aqueducts, bridges, roads, harbors, fortresses, canals) as architectural objects in the urban, rural ensemble and landscape, they used new building materials and structures. They reworked the principles of Greek architecture, and above all the order system: they combined the order with an arched structure.

Equally important in the development of Roman culture was the art of Hellenism, with its architecture gravitating towards grandiose scales and urban centers. But the humanistic beginning, the noble grandeur and harmony that form the basis of Greek art, in Rome gave way to tendencies to exalt the power of the emperors, the military power of the empire. Hence large-scale exaggerations, external effects, false pathos of huge structures.

The variety of buildings and the scale of construction in ancient Rome vary significantly compared to Greece: a colossal number of huge buildings are being erected. All this required a change in the technical foundations of construction. Performing the most complex tasks with the help of old technology has become impossible: in Rome, fundamentally new structures are being developed and widely used - brick-concrete, which allow solving the problems of covering large spans, speeding up construction many times over, and - which is especially important - limiting the use of qualified craftsmen by moving construction processes on the shoulders of low-skilled and unskilled slave workers.

Approximately in the IV century. BC e. mortar is used as a binder (first in rubble masonry), and by the II century. to p. e. a new technology for the construction of monolithic walls and vaults based on mortars and fine aggregate stone has developed. An artificial monolith was obtained by mixing mortar and sand with crushed stone called "Roman concrete". Hydraulic Additives volcanic sand- pozzolana (after the name of the area where it was exported from) made it waterproof and very durable. This caused a revolution in construction. Such laying was carried out quickly and allowed experimenting with the form. The Romans knew all the advantages of baked clay, made bricks of various shapes, used metal instead of wood to ensure the fire safety of buildings, rationally used stone when laying the foundation. Some of the secrets of Roman builders have not yet been unraveled, for example, the "Roman malt" solution is a mystery to chemists even now.

The squares of Rome and other cities were decorated with triumphal arches in honor of military victories, statues of emperors and prominent public people of the state. Triumphal arches are a permanent or temporary monumental framing of the passage (usually arched), a solemn structure in honor of military victories and other significant events. The construction of triumphal arches and columns was primarily of political importance. The 30-meter column of Trajan was decorated with a spiral frieze 200 meters long depicting the military exploits of Trajan, crowned with a statue of the emperor, at the base of which an urn with his ashes was immured.

The most significant domed structure of the ancient world is the Pantheon (from the Greek Pentheion - a place dedicated to all the gods). This is a temple in the name of all the gods, personifying the idea of ​​unity of the numerous peoples of the empire. The main part of the Pantheon is a Greek round temple, completed by a dome with a diameter of 43.4 m, through the holes of which light penetrates into the interior of the temple, striking in its grandeur and simplicity of decoration.

The basilica served as administrative building where the Romans spent most of the day. The second part of the day was connected with rest and took place in the baths. Baths were a complex combination of buildings and facilities associated with recreation, sports and hygiene. They contained rooms for gymnastics and athletics, lounges for relaxation, conversations, performances, libraries, doctors' offices, baths, swimming pools, commercial premises, gardens and even a stadium. Baths accommodated about a thousand or more people.

The terms were associated with consumption a large number water, so they were supplied with a special branch of the water supply - aqueducts (bridge-water supply). Heating was carried out by boiler installations in the cellars. Aqueducts brought water to Rome at a distance of several tens of kilometers. Thrown across the river beds, they presented an amazing picture of a continuous openwork arcade - one-tier, two- or even sometimes three-tier. Built of stone, with clear proportions and silhouette, these structures are wonderful examples of the unity of architectural forms and structures.

Among the public buildings of Ancient Rome large group make spectacular buildings. Of these, the most famous to this day is the Colosseum - an amphitheater, a giant oval building in the form of a bowl. In the center there was an arena, and under the stands there were rooms for speakers. The Colosseum was built in the 70s - 90s. n. e. and accommodated 56 thousand spectators.

A large group of buildings consisted of residential buildings of various types, including palaces and country villas. One-story mansions (domuses) are especially characteristic of Rome. Apartment buildings were also built - insuls. The interiors of both public and residential buildings were decorated with sculpture, murals, and mosaics. The murals visually expanded the space of the premises, being a wonderful and varied decor. The floors were decorated with mosaics. An important difference between Roman decor is the great complexity and richness of forms and materials. Using various ornamental motifs, they created the most bizarre combinations, changing the construction systems, weaving additional and diverse details into the compositions.

Sculpture of Ancient Rome

In the field of monumental sculpture, the ancient Romans were far behind the Greeks and did not create monuments as significant as the Greek ones. But they enriched the plastic with the disclosure of new aspects of life, developed a new everyday and historical relief, which constituted the most important part of the architectural decor.

The best heritage of Roman sculpture was the portrait. As an independent type of creativity, it has developed since the beginning of the 1st century. BC e. The Romans understood this genre in a new way: unlike the Greek sculptors, they closely and vigilantly studied the face of a particular person with his unique features. In the portrait genre, the original realism of Roman sculptors, observation and the ability to generalize observations in a certain artistic form were most clearly manifested. Roman portraits historically recorded changes in the appearance of people, their customs and ideals.

The Romans were the first to use monumental sculpture for propaganda purposes: they installed equestrian and foot statues in the forums (squares) - monuments to outstanding personalities. In honor of memorable events, triumphal structures were erected - arches and columns.

strikes the imagination. Almost 3,000 years of the eventful history of the Roman lands more than adorned the city with masterpiece architecture of varying degrees of antiquity and importance, different styles and directions of architecture. From the ruins of ancient walls, arches and temples, to twentieth-century buildings such as the construction of Termini Station. In the capital of Italy, almost at any step, one can admire the harmonious and refined architecture of Rome in the implementation of artistic ideas.

It is not at all easy to find out in detail the dates of the construction of many buildings of the architecture of Rome - and is it necessary, in this case, to find out the encyclopedic authenticity; because when feelings often prevail over the mind. But even the most poorly prepared traveler in world history can distinguish an ancient Roman temple with a Christian basilica: there are pagan chic porticos, columns and passages, here - ascetic modesty of lines and an emphasis on the spiritual at the expense of the physical.

The architecture of Rome is a reflection of the main historical and cultural periods of the formation of the capital of Rome. In general, the historical architecture of Rome can be divided into a number of large temporary groups: ancient buildings, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the buildings of the New Age.

Architecture of Rome: Antiquity

The monuments of the ancient architecture of Rome are almost the main reason for the interest of international groups of travelers, every year almost an onslaught of exciting Roman sights.

Palatine Hill - the place where Rome appeared as a city - their greatest concentration per unit area. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum, the baths of Caracalla, circuses and amphitheatres, pagan altars of Saturn and Vulcan, the arches of Septimius Severus and Constantine, many temples and the ruins of residential areas with amazing mosaics - this is only a small part of ancient architecture.

Connoisseurs of Christian antiquity will be delighted with a visit to the churches of Santa Constanta and San Clemente. And also from the dungeons of the church of St. Agnes, in which the pioneers of the new religion hid from imperial persecution.

The symbol of Rome and Italy in general, acquired its current name because of the gigantic statue of the mad Nero ("colossus") placed in front of him, but initially he was famous as the Flavian Amphitheater. Built in the first century, the amphitheater became the largest building for mass entertainment in the entire Roman Empire. The diameters of the oval of the structure are 156 and 188 m, in height - almost 50! No wonder that such open spaces could accommodate more than 50,000 Romans who wanted spectacles.

Architecture of Rome: Colosseum

The Colosseum survived, in fact, not flawlessly. The frantic history of the region predisposed to accelerated deterioration of the structure (by the way, the first preserved Roman amphitheater in the world is located in Tunisian El Jem; it often plays the role of the Colosseum in the cinema), but the former greatness has not disappeared: here, with their mouths open, travelers stand in front of suite of arches, the last of which disappears somewhere high in the sky.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to the Colosseum, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet.

The legendary architecture of Rome includes the Roman Forum - at one time the central market, and now the square that fills the center of the ancient part of the city. It is the epicenter of social and political life Roman citizens. It is from there that the current meaning of the word “forum” originates.

It must be borne in mind that the Forum is not the easiest example of Roman architecture in terms of perception. Many ruins here look ruined to such an extent that the imagination impotently subsides. Therefore, it is worth getting ready to admire in full ancient architecture Rome will turn out only the most knowledgeable or stubborn. As a result, you need to keep in mind that in the summer the sun is hot here mercilessly.

Near the forum at first there were pagan sanctuaries. With the collapse of the empire, he lost his social significance and almost overgrown with weeds, until the Christians began to build their temples on it. In the 19-20 centuries, archaeological excavations began here, as a result of which the forum received modern cultural significance.

At present, the forum concentrates many ancient architectural artifacts near it, for example, the Sacred Road, the Capitol, the Temple of Saturn and so on. You can approach it from Foli Imperiali Street or from the Capitol, bypassing the Capitoline Descent from Foro Romano Street. Another road to the forum passes through the Temple of Concord, the Portico of the Blessing Gods, the Mamertine Prison, which also makes it possible to get acquainted with these monuments of ancient architecture in Rome.

Baths of Caracalla

The bathhouse, something not at all alien to a Russian person, was quite in demand in Ancient Rome. But the ancient Roman baths-saunas were called differently - terms. They went there to warm up, swim, and at the same time talk, sort out business issues, find suitable partners for their ancient Roman business.

The baths were built at the beginning of the 3rd century AD under the emperor who ruled under the name of Septimius Bassian, but the most famous, as is often the case with Roman emperors, by the nickname Caracalla preserved by historians.

It is amazing that the large-scale, grandiose and chic building of the Baths of Caracalla in terms of its functionality was “only” public baths, which promised the visitor, however, many hours of varied relaxation, both bathing and swimming, and sports, and also intellectual. It was a huge public building, stunning in its size and luxury of decoration. One can insist that the Baths of Caracalla are as majestic and monumental as the Colosseum or the Mausoleum of Hadrian.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to the Baths of Caracalla, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet.

Middle Ages

Not very prosperous Middle Ages and tangibly worsened the appearance the eternal city during the Vandal invasions, and gave a number of attractions to the architecture of Rome. One of the most famous is the castle of Sant'Angelo on the western bank of the Tiber. Feudal turrets, loopholes and halls with high dark ceilings, combined with powerful battlements in the literal sense of impenetrable fortress walls, give a visual representation of the disturbing life in those days.

It makes sense to visit the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva: although its facade was restored in the 19th century, the original medieval style of Rome's architecture was carefully preserved. It makes sense to visit the temple of Santa Maria del Anima, built at the end of the 14th century for the needs of pilgrims in Rome.

Architecture of Rome: Castel Sant'Angelo

The unique architecture of Rome is the Castel Sant'Angelo. The construction of the Castel Sant'Angelo began in Rome as early as 135. During its almost 2000th history, it was remodeled more than once and used as a castle itself, and was also a tomb, the residence of popes, a storehouse and, of course, a dungeon. Now in the castle of the Holy Angel is the Military History Museum, where travelers can see Secret archive, the Hall of Treasures, the papal apartments, the loggia of Paul III, the hall of Clement VII, the courtyard of Alexander VI and many other things - more than 50 rooms that form a real labyrinth!

The building acquired its name in 590, when, during the plague, Pope Gregory the Great had a vision in which the Archangel Michael was on the roof, sheathing his sword. This meant that the raging disaster had come to an end. Just after that, the fortress began to be called the Castel Sant'Angelo.

Renaissance

Much of the architecture of Rome that can currently be seen is of the Renaissance period - the restoration of the classical canons of harmony after the gloomy Middle Ages. By the way, for the comfortable radial arrangement of the streets, Rome should be grateful just to the urban planners of the Renaissance. Among the buildings of this period, the most attention is focused on the architectural dominant of Rome - St. Peter's Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel, as well as many secondary churches and temples.

It is worth paying attention to the graceful domes of the Renaissance buildings going up: a number of them (for example, the most high point Rome - the dome of St. Peter's Basilica) it is possible to climb and through this embrace a bird's-eye view of both historical Rome and the luxurious decoration of the interior of the cathedral. Well, at the end of the Renaissance in the architecture of Rome, baroque blossoms in a riotous color, with all its ornate bas-reliefs, rounded marble Cupids and tropical gypsum flora. For baroque sensations, you should go to its three chic fountains, and you should not miss the colonnade of St. Peter's Cathedral.

The heart of the Vatican and the whole Catholic community, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome's architecture. Here it is possible to take a bird's-eye view of ancient Rome, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, attend the mass and even be blessed by the pontiff.
St. Peter's Basilica is, without embellishment, history itself, realized in stone.

Scroll famous people, who in one way or another had a hand in its architecture and interior, will fill more than one page, and within its walls the fate of the whole world, states and peoples was decided. The history of the cathedral dates back to the 4th century with the construction of a simple basilica over the alleged burial place of the Apostle Peter. Until the 15th century, the structure was no different. And in 1506, by papal decree, it was planned to remake the basilica into a monumental cathedral, the center of Catholicism and a symbol of the power of the pontiff.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet.

Modern architecture of Rome

The architecture of Rome of the modern era in Rome is also represented in large numbers, in no small part due to construction during the time of Italian fascism and the rule of Mussolini. Within the revival of the idea of ​​great Rome and the great Romans, the architecture of Rome of that time came out pompous, pretentious, cumbersome and harsh.

Most of it is concentrated on the western bank of the Tiber River and in the Prati region. One example of the architecture of Rome in the early 20th century is the Palace of Justice.

But among the ponderous new imperial buildings, there are also true masterpieces, for example, the modernist building of Termini Station, completed in 1950, with a travertine facade and metal panel inserts, a symbol of modern, vibrant Rome.

The Palace of Justice is one of the most famous landmarks of the architecture of Rome and Italy in general. Currently, the building is the residence of the Supreme Court of Cassation, it is located in the Prati area, near the Castel Sant'Angelo. One of its main strengths is its exterior: a lot of decorative elements in the form of statues and stucco are concentrated on the castle. When visiting Rome, be sure to look at this amazing structure.

The beginning of the construction of the castle fell on March 14, 1888. During its construction, Giuseppe Zanarrdelli, the keeper of the state seal, was present. It was he who defended the fact that the Palace was built in the Prati area. Then in that part of Rome there were already judicial institutions, but the Palace of Justice became the largest of them. For the construction, platforms were needed, which were created from concrete. During the construction, excavations were carried out and many sarcophagi were found.

Excursions in Rome with locals Drimsim is a universal international sim card and a free travel app. The best prices, fast internet and calls around the world.

We advise you to arrange so that there are no unpleasant surprises during your trip to Rome.

The architecture of Ancient Rome is based on two great civilizations - Greek and Etruscan. The Etruscans had excellent technologies for the construction of temples, houses, tombs. It was they who introduced the arch and vault. But, unlike the Greek ones, the Etruscan temples were built from short-lived materials, so little has survived to this day.

Etruscan arch in Perugia, Italy

However, there are objects by studying which you can get a lot of information about this culture. It is known that the supporting structure of the buildings was made of wood, bricks and terracotta coverings were used.

The Etruscan arch in Perugia is an intact example of a city gate.

Architecture of Ancient Rome: periods

Real Roman architecture, with original features that recycle Etruscan and Greek influences, is defined from the 2nd century BC.

Architecture of the Roman Monarchy

It is believed that Rome was founded in 753 BC. At the beginning of its history, Rome was a monarchy. According to tradition, after the reign of Romulus, King Numa Pompilius ascended the throne, who improved the organization of the city. He was succeeded by Tullus Hostilius, an experienced Latin warrior who conquered the nearby cities. The fourth king was Anko Marzio, who built the port of Ostia, at the mouth of the Tiber.

The Etruscan rulers followed - Tarquinius Priscus ordered the market square, Foro, to be covered with stone, built numerous temples and ordered to dig the sewers of Cloaca Maximus to dump dirty water. Servius Tullius built a wall around the city.

The monarchy ended with the reign of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, who was expelled from the city in 509 BC, and Rome became a republic.

Architecture of the Roman Republic

During the Republic, which lasted almost five centuries, Rome was always at war. After the conquest of the Etruscans and other peoples living in the territory of today's Italy, the Roman Republic conquered the territories of Greece and other countries mediterranean sea. Construction was underway. To move the army needed good roads, many of them were built. road (lat. strata) was formed from several layers (ital. strato) and its surface was covered with stone slabs.

The architecture of the period of the Roman Republic pays great attention practical and functional aspects buildings.

Architecture of the Roman Empire

After the Roman Republic was replaced by the Roman Empire in 31 BC, there was a long period of prosperity for art and architecture. Under Emperor Augustus, then under Troyan and Hadrian, the architecture of the Roman Empire reached its magnificence and played an important role in propagating power.

Extensive evidence has been preserved relating to architecture, where the Romans demonstrate excellent skills in construction techniques, sculpture (portraits, reliefs that complement architecture), painting (frescoes, mosaics).

Christian era architecture

The period of barbarian invasions marks the decline of Roman architecture. A new era is coming - the Christian one.

Main characteristics of Roman architecture

Centinate. Wooden structure to support the vaults

1. In Roman architecture, of course, there is a great continuity with Greek art- symmetry, regularity of forms, the use of architectural orders (Doric, Tuscan, Ionic and Corinthian). In fact, instead of the Doric order, the Romans used the Tuscan order ( tuscanico/toscano), which is very similar to it, the only difference was that the column was smooth, without grooves ( flute).
2. From the Etruscans the Romans adopted arches and vaults, becoming the chief specialists in their use. During the construction of the arch and vaults, a temporary wooden structure was used for support - centinature ( centinatura). From a large number of arches standing one behind the other, the Romans formed a cylindrical vault ( volta a botte), and the intersection of two barrel vaults formed a groin vault ( volta a crociera). The first builders of real domes were also the Romans. One of the most beautiful domed vaults is the Pantheon.

Dome vaults in the architecture of ancient Rome

Materials and technologies

The Romans used bricks to build walls, arches, columns, floors. Marble, as an expensive material, was used much less frequently. A variety of brick shapes - elongated, square, triangular, pyramidal - helped to create strong structures and grips.

The production of bricks was also expensive, and a lot of labor was required for masonry.

That is why they were often replaced with blocks of tufa and travertine, or other materials. To speed up the construction of the walls, the Romans began to use artificial conglomerate or Roman concrete ( calcestruzzo).

Concrete was poured into wooden formwork, compacted with a rammer and, after it hardened, the formwork was removed. This method of building walls was called opus caementicium.

When the same technology was used to fill the cavities of two load-bearing walls made of brick or stone, it was called muratura a sacco. Thus, the Romans got thick, strong walls, saving time and resources. The technique was not reflected in the aesthetics, because. the concrete part was inside.

Architecture of Ancient Rome: building walls

External masonry walls can be characterized by the main building traditions −

• opus quadratum,
• opus reticulatum,
• opus incertum,
• opus latericium.

Opus quadratum

When working with such material as soft tuff, large stones in the form of a parallelepiped were cut and arranged in rows of the same height. (opus quadratum); if hard limestone was used, such as traventino, each element took on its own polygonal shape (opus poligonalis).

Opus reticulatum

With this technique, cement was poured between walls formed by small pyramidal stone blocks, the bases of which formed a regular diamond-shaped grid.

Ancient Roman stonework: opus quadratum and opus reticulatum

Opus incertum

AT opus incertum the stones are irregularly shaped and their arrangement seems almost random.

Opus latericium

Fired bricks of a rectangular shape (about 45 cm x 30 cm) were superimposed in an alternating order. Since the era of August, its use has become more frequent. Due to the fact that over time the thickness of the bricks and their color changed, it is easy to establish the chronological order of architectural structures.

Opus mixtum

Although brick was usually used uniformly (opus testaceum), there are examples of its use with other stones and rows of other masonry, creating an opus mixtum.

Stonework of Ancient Rome: opus latericium, opus inchertum, opus mixtum

Architecture and urban planning (urban planning)

Here are two different examples -

1. the city of Rome itself, which is unique in its development,
2. and building new cities.

The layout of most ancient Roman cities was rectangular, based on the principle of temporary camps of legionnaires - castrum.

City planning of ancient Rome

Namely, settlements were broken up and built up along two main streets - cardo (oriented from north to south) and Decumanus (from east to west). The intersection of these streets was reserved for main square city ​​- Foro.

Reconstruction of the layout of the city of Rimini

Roads, water pipes, sewerage, bridges were built in cities. Various buildings were built:

• houses for living (Domus, Insulae and Villas);
• for recreation (theaters, amphitheaters, circuses and baths);
• designed to worship the gods (temples);
• for political and administrative activities (Curia and Basilica)
• and festive monuments (triumphal arches and columns).

Brief video review-reconstruction of the architecture of Ancient Rome: