American Monuments That Reflect the Influence of Romans
American monuments that reflect the influence of Roman sculpture and/ or architecture There are many breath taking examples of Roman influence on many American monuments. A good example of this is the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. This building was designed by Cass Gilbert and built in 1935. Its design is directly based on the Roman Temple design including the characteristics of raised podiums and a formal front staircase. In an article titled, “Roman Power/ Roman Architecture”, it states that “The decision to base courthouse designs in America on Roman temples is understandable, when it is remembered that our legal system traces its authority back to the tradition of Roman law.” Another great American monument that is based on the Roman architecture is the General Grant National Memorial in New York. Its design is based on the Arch of Constantine. According to Ann Wesley of Michigan State University, “The arch was usually very big and was prominent feature of the skyline of the town in which it was located.” Our textbook displays yet another example of American monuments that reflect the influence of Roman architecture. The Thomas Jefferson, the Rotunda, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and Jefferson’s personal residents in Monticello. These structures scream Roman Pantheon. Roman architecture influenced American theatre structure such as the Boston Pops in Massachusetts, which is based on the Dodoni Ancient Greek Theater, in Northwest Greece, it has a half circle shape with the orchestra in the front. This structure is comparable with many Roman techniques that were intertwined with Roman architecture.
REFERENCES
Roman Power/ Roman Architecture accessed on March 14, 2012 at 9:57 pm., employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/…/roman_architecture.html.
Wesley, Ann. Michigan State University, accessed on March 15, 2012 at 10:04 pm.,www.msu.edu/~wesleya1/Greek%20Architecture2.ppt.
Fiero, Gloria K. Landmarks in Humanities.2nd
References: Roman Power/ Roman Architecture accessed on March 14, 2012 at 9:57 pm., employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/…/roman_architecture.html.
Wesley, Ann. Michigan State University, accessed on March 15, 2012 at 10:04 pm.,www.msu.edu/~wesleya1/Greek%20Architecture2.ppt.
Fiero, Gloria K. Landmarks in Humanities.2nd edition. McGraw –Hill: New York, 2009, page 76.