Greek & Roman Architecture Roman Term Paper

The city became filled with triumphal arches commemorating great victories of generals and emperors, like the Triumphal Arches of Titus, Constantine, and Septimus. Thus, in contrast to ancient Greece, civic leaders as well as the gods were consecrated in images near every public dwelling.

Roman building materials were also different. Unlike the Greeks, Roman builders could not use marble all the time, because it had become expensive. But the Romans had developed concrete, in addition to their terracotta, stone and brick. Concrete was another example of a superior Roman technological reform. It was "made by mixing pazzolana, a strong volcanic material with rubble and a mixture of limes. The concrete was used to make walls, domes, vaulted roofs of solid concrete, concrete with brick ribs and faced structure" ("Roman Architecture," Romans Page, 2008).

The use of the arch, along with the development of new building materials enabled Romans to create aqueducts, to channel water from hills to cisterns.This was another substantial move forward in architectural design that improved the quality of human life. The covered pipes were lined with cement to prevent evaporation and contamination, which made the water supply plentiful to crowded locations, and also hygienic. And of course, all roads lead to Rome -- Rome was the first civilization to create roads paved with ditches on either side so water could run off to the side ("Roman Architecture," Romans Page, 2008). None of these achievements take away from the previous accomplishments of Greece, of course, but it is important to remember that every time we walk upon a modern road, or walk upon a concrete sidewalk, however modern and mundane they may appear to our eyes, we are paying tribute to Roman architectural and technical innovation.

Works Cited

Ancient Roman Architecture." Crystal Links. 12 Apr 2008. http://www.crystalinks.com/romearchitecture.html

Roman Architecture." Romans Page. 12 Apr 2008. http://www.iol.ie/~coolmine/typ/romans/archie2.html.....