Ancient Roman engineering and architecture, which gained its influence from Etruscan, are perfect examples of experimentation and innovative construction. Roman engineers and architects invented new buildings, road networks were marvelously implemented, and public buildings were employed on different occasions and by different people. It led to the full-spread utilization of concrete that was strong and comfortably garlanded. The concrete was produced using local materials and proved to be cost-effective, and the building was strong and durable. The essay explores Roman architecture and engineering during ancient times.
The Greek designs influenced Roman engineering and architecture, as one can experience the similarities in several buildings and roads. The architectural plan for both cultures comprised three different column plans: the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian plans. Ionic columns are slightly thinner with decorations and the Doric columns are thicker with fewer ornamental designs (Evelyn, 2022). The Corinthian has ornate designs at the bottom and top of the column. The Roman columns were of Corinthian design and may be seen in the Temple of Zeus and the Pantheon as opposed to the Greek Doric-designed columns (Frakes, 2020). It enabled them to have well–constructed buildings and infrastructure in the territories they conquered.
Roman engineers and architects constructed buildings and roads that were of unique beauty and ingeniousness. Even today, people still marvel at the incredible and valuable engineers the Romans were and at the sheer integrity and scale of their several projects. Romans brought credible innovations to the new regions of their empire (Sear, 2020). It is due to the excellent architectural ideas and engineering skills Romans had that permitted them to conquer, rule, respect, and influence such a large region of the world that extended for a longer period. The people of areas that Rome conquered were the beneficiaries of infrastructures developed by Romans, for example, public fresh water supply, roads connecting all parts of the empire, bridges over earlier impassible rivers, and implausible public buildings such as the baths and forums (Hopkins, 2020). The infrastructural network allowed the establishment of a large and powerful Roman Empire.
The first activity the Romans carried out after entering a new area upon winning a battle was the construction of bridges and roads in their new territory. It allowed communication between the mother country and the colony (Evelyn, 2022). The road networks and bridges led to the capital city, which solidified its position as the central power and permitted the leaders faster and easier access to these colonies. Romans were the first to champion and master bridge and road building on a large scale; Romans influenced the people in the far most remote areas (Sear, 2020). For example, the Puente Alcantara built in Spain may best illustrate the expansive influence they held through bridges (Frakes, 2020). People were moved into conformity when they witnessed the superior engineering skills of the Romans (Long, 2018). They perfected pile driving for the building of bridges and constructed each bridge arch as self-supporting to shun damage to the whole structure when only one part was destructed.
Roman engineering and architectural designs made many people admire and respect the superior capabilities and innovativeness of Romans. They made them an easier way to conquer and experience less revolt, which permitted the Romans to expand their rule and keep their influence for a longer period. The Romans enhanced their quality of life after conquering the people and this proved challenging not to acknowledge and accept new leadership of such improvements occurring. The Roman Empire’s greatness was because of the direct outcome of having such superior architects and engineers.
References
Evelyn, L. (2022). Roman architecture and engineering [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Frakes, J. F. (2020). Ancient architecture and urbanism in Western Europe (pre-Roman, Roman). Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, 3(1), 313-328. Web.
Hopkins, J. (2020). Roman republican architecture. Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, 9(2), 1-18. Web.
Long, P. O. (2018). Engineering the Eternal City: Infrastructure, topography, and the culture of knowledge in late sixteenth-century Rome (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
Sear, F. (2020). Roman architecture (2nd ed.). Routledge.