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Example research essay topic: Humble Beginnings Roman Architecture - 1,615 words

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The Roman society, like any other, had its humble beginnings. The history of their architecture runs virtually in step with the history of their empire to an extent. As the Empire expanded so did the architecture, and as Romans became more magnificent their architecture followed. Roman architecture had its humble beginnings as a form of worship. The first Roman architects were the ancient priests and dwellers who made areas of sacrifice and worship for their gods. At first, their homes were simple huts but as they grew smarter and more aware of their surroundings, they erected monumental sites for their gods.

This space shall be for worship and for nothing else; it shall be four-square; whatever is done or said in this holy space the gods shall be aware of; whatever comes shall be a sign from the gods. (Brown 10) So, like many arts, Roman architectures roots are embedded in the worshiping and homage paid in religion. The Romans were, of course, not the first to unveil and practice many of their building philosophies; however, they built like no other society before them. Their methods incorporated efficiency and sophistication to construct a whole new look. So with the rise of the Romans and the everlasting hail of Caesar after Caesar and Emperor after Emperor, Roman architecture expanded and influenced building over the world. Unlike the Empire, though, Roman design did not die at the hands of the Germanic's, or rather at the hands of self-destruction; it continued to expand and play a part in every major style throughout history. Today, a look at any bridge, tunnel, skyscraper and most buildings will reveal a Roman influence.

Even through its empires own tribulations and defeat, architecture has stood as an everlasting symbol of what Rome once was, and what the rest of the world is today. To conclude, Roman architecture cannot be looked at as a mere time period or cultural event, for its ramifications lie beyond cultures and beyond time itself. Roman architecture is not a variable, it is, and forever will be, a constant. Unlike cultures before them, the Romans were not intimidated by the curve, Greece, like the Orient, had been shy of the curve. (Brown 20) It had proven very difficult for predecessors to successfully negotiate an angled surface; it not only took great skill, but the right kind of material and design. The Romans, however, saw great advantages in curved structures such as the arch, vault and dome. Use of the arch and its principles date back to ancient architecture; however, the Romans revolutionized the way the arch was used, and in that changed the face of architecture.

The concept of the arch was to support a structure spanning a wide distance. Builders before had used beams and columns for support, but they had sometimes been too weak. (Encarta) The Roman architects were not concerned with embodying an innovative new design; they were impressed with the practical advantages of the arch and the greater amount of load it could support. The concept was a step up from the Greek post-and-lintel system, where many temples and public structures were erected on columns. Through time, the arch proved to be worthy of any task, whether it was supporting a long bridge, or giving rise to a Gothic cathedral. As is the case with many Roman designs, the arch can be seen in many modern structures.

The vault was used by the Romans, predominantly, as ceilings and roofs of buildings or rooms and support for ceilings. It is basically a string of connected arches forming a semi-spherical structure. The simplest of the vaults was the barrel, or tunnel, vault. It was supported by straight walls on its side and was very sustainable. Another system the Romans fancied was the groin vault, where two barrel vaults come together and cross each other. Vaults were used in structures like the Coliseum to cover corridors and in the public baths of Roman cities.

The third advance, which came to use by the Romans, was the dome. The dome, like the arch and vault, was widely used in many grand structures. It was a spherical vault, which rested on a base wall. Compared to the vault, it was more stable; however, it was limited because it thrusts outward in a circle. The Roman hemispherical domes were very impressive and beautiful; The Pantheons great dome, built by Emperor Hadrian, is more than forty-three meters in diameter. Along with a revolution in structure and design, the Romans were the first to use and produce concrete; as well as marble, mosaic, and stone.

The mortar mix the Romans used provided a very strong foundation and support for structures. They used decorative stones as well as marble in public baths and many buildings. The Romans vast building supplies and their confidence in their abilities to use them were instrumental in their architectural excellence. The durability and beauty of the Romans arches, vaults, and domes speak for themselves two millenniums after they were built.

In many instances, the vaults and foundation arches are all that is left of ruins. Up until the nineteenth century, arches and vaults were the only methods, other than post-and-lintel, for spanning space between walls and piers, and for constructing ceilings. Their appeal and widespread use up to this day, is due largely to their durability and efficiency, as evidenced by the Roman architects. Every great empire confers with a marvelous city, and Rome was no exception.

The center of all trade, art, commerce and court for the entire empire, Rome was a magnificent city. Set on the shores of the Tiber River, Rome had been inhabited for nearly three thousand years. It was not until during the 7 th century B. C. that it came to be called Rome. It was set in a perfect strategic location for it was not too close to the sea and was surrounded by seven huge hills.

Unlike many smaller Roman cities, Rome did not have a very orderly layout. As the population grew, eventually reaching one million, the city extended its limits and added public works. Two of the revolutionary systems used in Rome were the aqueducts and the sewer system. The aqueducts, which were built by the Roman army, supplied water to the ever-growing population. They were huge cement edifices, which carried water along their tops. The underground sewers were an intellectual marvel at the time.

Another popular feature of Rome was the public baths located around the city. These were public buildings with huge open-air rooms inside where people would bathe and exercise. The great vaulted roofs still stand today over what once was the baths. Public tombs were also customary for nearly all residents, even slaves.

Depending on ones stature in society, one could have various structures erected. Emperors and senate members constructed huge mausoleums with monuments. The common people were cremated and their ashes were kept in small niches with a plaque. The empire sprung off from Rome in every direction, on land and sea. All roads lead to Rome was the case with roads such as the Via April stretching out across the land.

The roads were so plentiful, and well built that many of them survive today as landmarks and remnants of a vast empire. As the Empire expanded, so did the architecture, The opening of the world to Rome by conquest, power, and wealth was the beginning of a revolutionary phase in which Roman architecture was remade. (Brown 18) A growing population brought huge amounts of trade to Rome, making it the center of trade on the Mediterranean Sea. The increase in trade brought newfound wealth to Rome and the city began to sprout up with all kinds of new monuments. Each leader and emperor constructed his own forum and countless monumental arches were erected. Though some masterpieces were constructed under specific Emperors, the greatness in Roman architecture endured throughout the whole era of the Empire.

Not only did every Emperor construct many monumental sites, they also encouraged the construction of various public works in Rome. The Empire brought many products into the city such as wine, pottery, glassware, grain and animals. The imports made far off delicacies available to the general population in Rome. The Roman army also captured slaves from Greece, Britain and the Middle East to serve on the farms in the empire. Many of the Greek slaves also served as educators to young Romans, and some slaves were regarded as close friends. The first real organized sports in history may have occurred in Rome along with organized betting.

Racecourses such as Circus Maximus and amphitheaters such as the Coliseum served the Roman people with entertainment. Betting on chariot races was popular and betting on someones life was too. Wild animals from Africa were captured and sent to Rome to square off against gladiators. The full experience of Rome encompasses that of a modern city. Romes uniqueness and destiny for greatness came from its position as the head of a huge Empire. Rome was once regarded to many as not only the capital of the Empire, but the capital of the World as well.

It did not represent all the worlds people by far, but it definitely did represent what the modern cities would be like, and what a great city should be. Some view the great power of a centralized Rome as a product in the downfall of the Romans, but if one looks at what the city has given us today, and what it gave to the people of Rome at the time, its greatness and praise should never be questioned. As important and significant the arches, vaults, do...


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Research essay sample on Humble Beginnings Roman Architecture

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