Why Roman Concrete
In this essay, I intend to communicate the importance and the significance that Roman Concrete and the Roman Arch played in history. Both architectural elements would greatly impact the whole of the Roman Empire.
Concrete; Since 25 B.C., when Vitruvius wrote about the distinct types of aggregate for use in structural mortar in his “Ten Books of Architecture,” Roman “pozzolana” or concrete quickly became the binding agent in Roman life. The advent of concrete could not be overstated, it touched every life in the Roman Empire. From the shape and safety of their homes, to the roads they traveled, to the stores and temples, docks and bridges, even public bath houses and sports centers. Rome’s paved roads would stretch for over 14,000 miles! …show more content…
This particular concrete would prove to be a superior recipe, with most of ancient Rome’s temples and dwellings having lasted thousands of years. Using this as mortar in combination with bricks, and Rome’s architecture took on the three Greek orders; Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian… adding their own hybrid; Composite Capital which mixed the volute of the Ionic order with the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian.
The Romans would take their architectural knowledge with them wherever they settled, spreading the use of concrete to every corner of the Empire. Roman cement would build roads, aqueducts, bridges, temples (Pantheon), amphitheatres (Colosseum) and border walls providing strength, beauty, sanitation, and security.
Arches; In addition to columns, Roman architecture would also use arches throughout the empire, serving multiple roles. Some arches would be utilitarian, carrying water in aqueducts, sometimes two or three tiers high across miles. One such example is the Pont du Gard near Nimes (c. 14
Concrete; Since 25 B.C., when Vitruvius wrote about the distinct types of aggregate for use in structural mortar in his “Ten Books of Architecture,” Roman “pozzolana” or concrete quickly became the binding agent in Roman life. The advent of concrete could not be overstated, it touched every life in the Roman Empire. From the shape and safety of their homes, to the roads they traveled, to the stores and temples, docks and bridges, even public bath houses and sports centers. Rome’s paved roads would stretch for over 14,000 miles! …show more content…
This particular concrete would prove to be a superior recipe, with most of ancient Rome’s temples and dwellings having lasted thousands of years. Using this as mortar in combination with bricks, and Rome’s architecture took on the three Greek orders; Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian… adding their own hybrid; Composite Capital which mixed the volute of the Ionic order with the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian.
The Romans would take their architectural knowledge with them wherever they settled, spreading the use of concrete to every corner of the Empire. Roman cement would build roads, aqueducts, bridges, temples (Pantheon), amphitheatres (Colosseum) and border walls providing strength, beauty, sanitation, and security.
Arches; In addition to columns, Roman architecture would also use arches throughout the empire, serving multiple roles. Some arches would be utilitarian, carrying water in aqueducts, sometimes two or three tiers high across miles. One such example is the Pont du Gard near Nimes (c. 14