It is generally accepted that the primitive buildings of Rome came from the Etruscan people, perhaps even built by them. It was logically a continuation of the line of Greek architecture. The buildings of the Roman Empire retained the basis of Etruscan architecture - the circular arch. A circular arch is a rounded stone covering that connected the abutments to each other. This helped to arrange the stones in a radius circle for even pressure on them. Using new techniques for building structures, the Romans could bring creativity to new buildings. Theoretical new knowledge helped build temples large sizes, the ability to erect multi-storey buildings and structures. In terms of the introduction of groin vaults and box vaults, the Romans succeeded over the Greeks and made more refined buildings.

In order for the arches to stand securely, the columns that used to be popular were no longer used. Roman architects began to build huge walls and pilasters, and the columns became just a decorative decoration. This was used almost everywhere, but there were also buildings in which the use of columns was more appropriate. At the same time, the styles of the columns practically did not change, the Romans settled on the standard Greek version.

In general, Roman architecture was directly dependent on the Greek directions of architecture. However, the Romans tried more to emphasize their strength and independence in order to intimidate and suppress foreign peoples. They did not spare money for decorating their buildings, each building was magnificent and richly decorated. At the same time, from the point of view of the architect, they tried to make each structure exemplary. Mostly buildings were built for practical needs, but temples also occupied an important place among the structures.

History of architecture of ancient Rome

As an independent branch of world art, the architecture of Ancient Rome was formed for a very long time, approximately in the 4th-1st centuries. BC e. Despite the fact that many buildings of those times have already crumbled, they regularly continue to fascinate with their remnants and individual elements. The Roman Empire was one of the great, if not the greatest, that laid the foundation for a new era. Public places of that time could accommodate tens of thousands of people (basilicas, amphitheatres, trading markets), but there was always something to strive for. Religion also did not recede into the background; the list of building structures in Rome included temples, altars, and tombs.

Comparing with the whole world, even historians came to the conclusion that it was difficult or simply impossible to find equal rivals to the architecture of Rome and Roman engineering. Aqueducts, bridges, roads, fortresses, canals as architectural objects are only a small part of the list of what they used on all fronts. They changed the principles of ancient Greek architecture, primarily the order system: they combined the order with an arched structure.

Great importance in the formation of Roman culture was given to the style of the Hellenes, who were supporters of architecture with a huge scope and the development of urban centers. But humanism and the ability to inherit the harmonious Greek style in Rome were omitted, preferring the exaltation of imperious emperors. They sharply emphasized the power of the army. Hence all the pathos, which was the basis of many decorations for buildings and structures.

The variety of buildings and the general scope of buildings in Rome is much higher than in Greece. The construction of huge buildings became possible due to a change in the technical foundations in construction. This is how new brick-concrete structures appear. They made it possible to block large spans, speeding up the process of construction work. It was also important that with the use of such construction methods, professional craftsmen were increasingly abandoned, and trusted slaves and unskilled workers. This significantly reduced the cost of construction.

Stages of development of Roman architecture

І period

The stages of development of Roman architecture can be divided into 4 periods. The first and shortest starts from the time of the founding of ancient Rome and ends in the 2nd century BC. BC e. This period is not rich in architectural monuments, and those that appeared were the legacy of the Etruscans. Almost everything that was built during this period was publicly available. It brought collective benefits to the settlements. This category included canals for cleansing the city from sewage, which, with the help of them, fell into the Tiber. Mamertine prison and the first basilicas can also be attributed to buildings that were useful.

II period

The second stage is called "Greek". From the middle of the II century, a serious influence of Greek architecture on Roman begins. A strong influence was manifested until the end of the republican rule (31 BC). It is believed that at this time the first marble temples began to appear, replacing the usual types of stones and travertine. In their design, they were very similar to the Greek ones, but the architects tried to make noticeable differences.

Roman temples throughout these years looked oblong with 4 corners. The foundation was usually high, with an attached staircase on the front side. Climbing the stairs, you find yourself next to the columns. Going down a little deeper, there is a door that leads to the main hall. The main lighting comes through this door, so it is often open.

Together with such temples of the ancient Greek type, the Romans erected, in honor of the Gods, temples of a round shape. These were mostly their own ideas with the use of Greek elements. One of these can be considered the Temple of the Portun, surrounded by 20 columns, this historical object has survived to this day. The cone-shaped marble roof is a good example of the Roman individual style.

The community of buildings included not only buildings associated with religion, but also many others:

• Tabularium - a huge building designed to preserve the archives;
• The wooden theater of Skavra is one of the most interesting buildings of this period. Includes over three hundred marble columns and bronze statues, could accommodate 80,000 visitors;
• The first stone theater was built in honor of the goddess Venus.

All history about them disappeared with them. However, it is worth noting that using modern 3D modeling technologies, it was proved that these structures were built very competently. For example, the "Stone Theatre" was located in such a way that the stage looked to the northeast. Since, under Augustus, performances and celebrations were traditionally held in the morning, all the sun's rays fell on the stage, and not on theatergoers.

III period

By significance, the most effective period in the history of Roman architecture. The beginning is considered from the time of the arrival of Augustus to the republican throne and ends in 138 AD. e.

In the technologies of the Romans, the active use of concrete begins. A new stage in the construction of basilicas, circuses, and libraries begins. There were trials, identifying the best chariot riders. A new type of monumental art, the triumphal arch, is gaining popularity. At the same time, the technique was constantly improved with the help of new constructions timed to coincide with the new victories of the future empire.

Roman art was not as elegant as Greek structures, but the technical skill of construction remained at the highest level for centuries. The Colosseum (the largest amphitheater of antiquity) and the Pantheon temple (built in the name of the Gods) become world famous.

The introduction of features of Greek architecture gained massive popularity and continued to stride into the western and northern regions of Europe. Most Greek architects became famous with the help of the Romans, who commissioned Greek copies that were better preserved than the originals. The Romans, unlike the Greeks, adhered to their concept of sculptural traditions. They made busts of their ancestors to show the prototypes of their kind. The Greeks, on the other hand, used such sculptures as works of art in the house. This simplicity and vivid individuality of Roman portrait art show it from a new side for us.

Over the course of this period, all architectural structures go through stages of development, improvement and increase the level of majesty. Elements of luxury are widely used and for the first time the features of oriental art begin to slip.

IV period

After the departure from the power of Hadrian, Roman architectural art quickly begins its decline. All those decorations that were previously used begin to seem redundant and out of place, and their use is less and less correct. This period continues until the full formation of Christianity and the departure of paganism far into the background. The period of decline is characterized by the fact that every ruler wants to go down in history with the help of majestic buildings.

This period also continues to be distinguished by oriental elements, which are more and more clearly traced in architectural art. They begin to prevail over the classics of the genre. Particularly eloquent evidence of this is the construction under the last rulers of the empire in such remote areas of possessions as Syria and Arabia. This was noticeable by the change in the swelling of the surface of the roofs, the abundance of unnecessary accessories. Often mysterious, fantastic forms were erected, which were considered symbols of the eastern direction of architecture.

The greatness of Rome in the Temples

One of the first buildings erected by Augustus, dedicated to the deified idol Julius Caesar. Built in 29 BC. The temple was built in the modest style of the Ionic order. The place of Caesar's cremation was concentrated separately. In the decorated hall there are designated seats for speakers, which replaced the tribunal that existed here, concentrated for many years in the western part.

Altar of Peace

The monumental building of ancient Rome, which inscribed in history the victory of Augustus over the Spaniards and Gauls. It was built in 13 BC. e. In appearance, it looked like a fence with right angles 6 m high, in the center of which there was a step with an altar. There were 2 through passages along the perimeter of the fence, with the help of which it was possible to approach the altar. On the opposite walls were depicted processions of Augustus to offer sacrifice to the altar.

The memo had in its personification particles of all the cultures of the predecessors of Roman architecture. By the type of construction, one can judge the Italian style, and by the location of the ornament along the bottoms and tops, Etruscan principles. The exquisite craftsmanship of the relief of the altar speaks of a strong Greek influence.

Temple of Mars Ultor

One of the largest temples in Rome. The width of the facade alone is about 35 m. The columns are erected up to 18 m. The interior decoration was mainly of marble with wooden ceilings. Having a solemn appearance inside, the temple evoked a feeling of delight of the people present in it. The date of creation of this historical monument is considered 2 BC. e. Greek elements are traced in almost all stages of architecture.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is a special place in Rome. The second name is "Temple of all gods". The mass of temples of ancient times was built by order of the emperors, including the Pantheon was no exception. The Pantheon was dedicated primarily to the two gods Venus and Mars, it was they who were considered the guardians of the Julius family. The building consisted of three parts, which were intertwined. It was named after the architect who performed the work, but it is believed that the Pantheon was his pseudonym. The Pantheon was built in 118-128, years later it was restored several times. To date, only a small part of it has remained, which does not allow you to enjoy the full majesty of the temple of that period.

Sculpture of Ancient Rome

The monumental art of the ancient Romans significantly lost to the Greeks. The Romans never managed to create the greatest sculptural monuments and compete with the Greeks on these frontiers. But it was still possible to enrich the plastic with its elements.

The best results were achieved in portrait art. The Roman people transferred their observation of every trait of a person and his unique individuality. Ideal portraits were created, as well as portraits in which one could see the human negative and the realism of the art form. With the help of sculptures, for the first time, they launched the propaganda of the civilization of society. They erected monuments to famous personalities, made constructions of triumph.

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)

The most characteristic features of Roman urban planning were formed under the influence of Etruscan culture. The Etruscan cities had a regular layout (the city of Misa - modern Marzabotto) and a high culture of the technical equipment of the 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, a furrow, a ditch à fortress walls. Inside the walls is a city - urbs, around the walls is a pomerium.

IN 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.

IN 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 is 30 m wide, Pretoria street is 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- distinguished by a 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 buildings were located along the roads. regular cities. 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.

It 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 of 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 (layout), 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 a beautiful architectural ensemble, reflecting the 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 Temple of Minerva - surrounded high wall, had a tiling (like the forum of Augustus). The buildings of the Flavians are larger in 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 is hereditary. It rests on the achievements of ancient Greek architects. The colossal territory stretching from the British Isles to Egypt played an important role in shaping the culture of the empire. The conquered provinces (Syria, Gaul, Ancient Germany, etc.) enriched the work of Roman builders with local features.

The architecture of ancient Rome was the result of the development of art ancient civilization. She gave many new types of buildings: libraries, villas, archives, palaces.

The development of ancient Roman culture went through the following stages:

Royal;

Republican;

Imperial.

Roman architects were inspired by the works of masters from the occupied territories, who were brought to the capital of the empire. They especially admired the achievements of the Greeks and studied their philosophy, poetry, oratory. Greek architects and sculptors flocked to Rome. The first sculptures were created as Greek copies.

The Romans, unlike their neighbors the Greeks, the poets and philosophers, had a utilitarian temperament. They were conquerors, lawyers and builders. Therefore, the architecture of Ancient Rome was applied in nature. It reached its greatest prosperity in engineering buildings: bridges, baths, aqueducts, roads.

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 Prisk ordered to cover with a stone market square, Foro, built numerous temples and ordered to dig the sewers of the Cloaca Maxima to discharge 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, good roads were needed, a lot 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 arches, standing one behind the other, the Romans formed a barrel 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

IN 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, the 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 assigned to the main square of the 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: