Information about any structure of ancient Rome. Types of Roman public buildings and engineering structures. Architectural buildings of ancient Rome

The architecture of Ancient Rome is hereditary. It rests on the achievements of ancient Greek architects. The colossal territory stretching from the British Isles to Egypt played an important role in shaping the culture of the empire. The conquered provinces (Syria, Gaul, Ancient Germany, etc.) enriched the work of Roman builders with local features.

The architecture of Ancient Rome was the result of the development of the art of ancient civilization. She gave many new types of buildings: libraries, villas, archives, palaces.

Royal;

Republican;

Imperial.

Roman architects were inspired by the works of masters from the occupied territories, who were brought to the capital of the empire. They especially admired the achievements of the Greeks and studied their philosophy, poetry, oratory. Greek architects and sculptors flocked to Rome. The first sculptures were created as Greek copies.

The Romans, unlike their neighbors the Greeks, the poets and philosophers, had a utilitarian temperament. They were conquerors, lawyers and builders. Therefore, the architecture of Ancient Rome was applied in nature. It reached its greatest prosperity in engineering buildings: bridges, baths, aqueducts, roads.

E The stages of development of the architecture of Ancient Rome can be divided into four periods:

First of which covers the time from the founding of Rome to the middle of the 2nd century BC. BC e. This time is still poor in buildings, and even those that arose then had a purely Etruscan character. Most of the buildings in the early days of the existence of the Roman state were undertaken for public benefit. Such were the canals for the sewage of the city, with the main tunnel - the Great Cloaca, which carried water and sewage from the low parts of Rome to the Tiber, excellent roads, among other things, the Appian Way, magnificently paved with large, tightly fitting stones, aqueducts, the Mamertine prison and the first basilicas.

Second period

The type of basilica received its full development in the second period of Roman architecture, in which the Greek influence, which even before it began to penetrate into it, was already very strongly reflected in it. This period, lasting from the middle of the II century. before the fall of republican rule (that is, until 31 BC), it was also marked by the appearance in Rome of the first marble temples, while before temples were built from local volcanic rocks, piperine and travertine; at the same time, similar buildings, both in plan and in design, began to look more like Greek ones, although they constantly retained some differences from them.

The Roman temple of this and subsequent eras usually consisted of one cella of an oblong, quadrangular shape, standing on a high foundation, and to which a staircase led only from one, short, front side. Climbing this staircase, one finds oneself in a portico with columns, at the back of which there is a door leading to a cella, which receives light only through this door when it is open.

Sometimes the columns decorated only the portico of the temple (prostyle); sometimes the sides of the cella (a kind of peripter) were also furnished nearby, but they were not available on the back side; sometimes, instead of real columns, semi-columns protruding from the walls of the cella (a kind of pseudoperipter) were used. The roof of the building has always been gable, with a triangular pediment above the portico.

Along with similar sanctuaries of the Greek type, the Romans built, in honor of certain deities, round temples, constituting their own invention, introducing into them, however, many Greek elements.

Of the temples belonging to the period under consideration, one can point to the Temple of the Portun, which has survived to a certain extent - a pseudo-peripter with a portico of a heavy Ionic style and the round Temple of Vesta, furnished with 20 columns of the Roman Corinthian style that has not yet been fully developed, with a low cone-shaped roof of marble tiles.

Third period

The third, most brilliant period in the history of Roman architecture begins with the capture of sovereignty over the republic by Augustus and continues until the death of Emperor Hadrian, that is, until 138 AD.

At the same time, the Romans began to widely use concrete. New types of buildings appear, for example, basilicas, where trade transactions were made and courts were decided, circuses, where chariot competitions took place, libraries, places for games, for walks, surrounded by a park. A new type of monumental structure appears - the triumphal arch. Improving the technique of arch construction contributes to the active construction of aqueducts and bridges. Typically Roman, however, are the triumphal arches and columns abounding in sculpture, erected in honor of imperial victories and conquests. Even more impressive is the Roman engineering prowess in the construction of roads, bridges, aqueducts, sewers and fortifications.

Roman art was inferior to Greek art in the elegance of proportions, but not in technical skill. The construction of two of the most famous Roman monuments belongs to this period: the Colosseum (the largest amphitheater of the ancient world) - one of the many grandiose structures erected by the Romans throughout the empire, as well as the Pantheon, a temple in the name of all the gods. The walls, ceilings and floors of public buildings, as well as the palaces of emperors and wealthy private houses, were decorated with paintings or mosaics. In architecture, the Romans also lacked the Greek sense of style and taste, but they were more technically skilled in the construction of arches, vaults, and domes. Construction was carried out in huge trenches, as the vast empire needed amazing public buildings.

The fourth period

After Hadrian, Roman architecture rapidly declined, going into pretentiousness of motives, excess of decorations, into a mixture of the most diverse forms and into the irrationality of their use. The fourth, last period in the history of Roman architecture begins, lasting until the final victory of Christianity over paganism (from 138 to 300). And at this time, each emperor is trying to leave a memory of some significant building. Antoninus the Pious builds the temple of Antoninus and Faustina in Rome; Marcus Aurelius - a column of his name on the model of Trayanova; Septimius Severus - heavy triumphal gates burdened with architectural and sculptural decorations in imitation of the arch of Titus, as well as a small, but harmonious in proportions and noble and beautiful in detail, the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli. Caracalla endows Rome with unusually extensive and luxurious public baths, Aurelian - with a colossal temple of the Sun. Under Diocletian, baths were built that were even more spacious and magnificent than the baths of Caracalla, but which, in terms of design and location, were only a fragment from them. No less colossal was the palace built by this emperor in Spalato (in Dalmatia), from the stones of which a significant part of this city was subsequently built.

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

Architecture of the Roman Empire in the ruins of the Roman Forum.

The conquest of Greece brought Rome a new look at culture and art. However, Roman architecture not only copied Greek, but also made its own contribution to the development of architecture. In its development, ancient Roman architecture also absorbed the building culture of the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula, Ancient Germany, Gaul and others conquered by the empire. Rome adopted much from the art of the Etruscans, the bearers of a highly developed culture, thanks to which some constructive approaches to construction and engineering structures appeared. The beginning of the development of Roman architecture dates back to the period of the 6th-1st centuries. BC. At the beginning of this period, Rome was a small city, and its architecture was influenced by the culture of the Etruscans - Italic tribes. Arches and vaults with domes were borrowed from them. In those days, powerful defensive structures were created, for example, the wall of Servius (4th century BC). Up to 3 c. BC. Roman architecture was dominated by wooden buildings with terracotta ornaments. Until the 2nd century BC. in Rome, local marble had not yet been developed, and temples were built from volcanic tufa. Arched vaults made of soft tuff replaced the strong beams used in Greek buildings and served as load-bearing structural elements. The walls were decorated with plaster reliefs. The development of technologies for producing fired bricks dates back to this period, a frame was erected from it, and cladding began to be made of tuff. On the Capitoline Hill in 509 BC a temple was erected with three cells of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva. The ridge of the pediment was decorated with a terracotta quadriga by the sculptor Vulka. Later, the temple was repeatedly rebuilt using columns from Greek temples.

Temple of Capitoline Jupiter in Rome and order elements in temples in different cities of the Ancient Rome era.

In the 2-1 centuries. BC. in Roman architecture, they begin to use a new plastic material - concrete. In construction, vaulted structures are used. At this time, they began to build court buildings, trade, amphitheaters, circuses, baths, libraries, markets. The creation of the first triumphal arches, warehouses (the portico of Aemilia - 2nd century BC) belongs to that period. Chancelleries and Archives appeared (Tabularium, 80s of the 1st century BC). Such rapid construction and the emergence of buildings for various purposes is caused by expanding expansion, the seizure of territories, an increase in the size of the state and the need for strict regulation of controlled territories.

Tabularium in Rome.

By the end of the 1st c. AD formed the Roman Empire with sole power. The reign of Emperor Augustus gave rise to "August classicism" in the architecture of the Roman Empire, which later became the basis for European architecture. At this time, they began to develop "lunar", then Carrara marble. Roman architecture of that period was guided by the creations of the time of Phidias in Ancient Greece. Instead of houses made of mud and wood, the first multi-storey houses, mansions of aristocrats appeared, which were built of baked brick and concrete and faced marble. The city was decorated with Campania villas, palaces, decorated with porticos, columns, pediments, rich sculptural decoration. Fountains with stucco decoration combined with the greenery of the gardens. The Roman Forum appeared, around which public buildings and temples are erected. At the Roman Forum, the Corinthian columns of the temple still stand Castor and Polux 12.5 m high.

Columns of the Temple of Castor and Polux in Rome.

The plundered wealth from the conquered countries caused the rise of Roman architecture, which was designed to emphasize the greatness of the empire. The buildings emphasized their scale, monumentality and power. The buildings were richly decorated. In the antique style, not only temples and palaces were built, but also baths, bridges, theaters, aqueducts. Greek orders were used as the basis, of which the Corinthian order was given priority, as well as a new composite one, created as a mixture of ancient Greek ones. However, in the architecture of the Roman Empire, the elements of the order were used mainly as decorative ones, in contrast to Ancient Greece, where all parts of the order system carried a certain load and were part of the structure. In the 1st century BC. not only in Rome, but also in provincial cities, beautiful architectural complexes appeared, as, for example, in Pompeii. Emperor Nero gave Roman architecture a new look by destroying several quarters of the city, on the site of which the "Golden House" was built.

Ruins of the Golden House of Nero in Rome.

During the reign of the Flavians and Trajan (end of the 1st-beginning of the 2nd centuries AD), large architectural complexes were built. In conquered Athens, Hadrian erected a temple to Olympian Zeus in 135 AD. (reconstructed in 307). Under Hadrian (125), the Pantheon began to be erected - a striking building of the architecture of the Roman Empire, which has survived to this day. The Pantheon was created from volumes of a strict geometric shape: a cylindrical rotunda, a hemispherical dome, a portico with two rows of columns in the form of a parallelepiped. A hole was made on the dome through which the interior of the temple is illuminated. The proportions are clearly displayed in this work: the diameter of the rotunda is equal to the height of the structure. The height of the dome is equal to half of the conventional sphere, which could be inscribed in the temple structure. In the decoration of the Pantheon: marble slabs of the lower tier and plaster on the upper tiers. The roof was covered with bronze tiles. The Pantheon has become a model for many buildings of European architecture from different historical eras.

View of the Roman Pantheon from above.

At the end of the 3rd c. AD one of the most important buildings of the architecture of the Roman Empire was the defensive wall of Aurelian. Emperor Diocletian (3-4 centuries AD) made the city of Salona his residence and practically did not live in Rome. A well-fortified palace complex with access to the sea was built in the Salon. At this time, the architecture of the Roman Empire was characterized by austerity, clarity and less decoration. The late period (until the end of the 2nd century) of the development of Roman architecture began during the reign of Hadrian and under Antoninus Pius. These were the years of fierce wars, conspiracies, political assassinations, uprisings, as well as the invasion of the plague. In those days, triumphal arches were not erected, but many residential buildings and villas were built. The Roman architecture of the late Antonines was distinguished by a large amount of decoration. The temple of Hadrian, the temple of Antoninus and Faustina in the Roman Forum, the columns of Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, richly decorated with bas-reliefs, belong to that period.

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina in the Roman Forum (141 BC).

With the coming to power of Emperor Constantine and after 313, with the official recognition of the Christian religion as the main one in the territory of the Roman Empire, ancient warrants were used to build temples. The capital was moved to the former Greek Byzantium, which was called Constantinople. Rome is losing its central importance, and ancient art, moving away from its center, gradually acquires a formal character, gradually developing into medieval styles.

Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople. Built under Emperor Constantine. 324-337

Roman architecture 3rd c. AD more and more exposed to Christianity, however, the order system was still used in the construction of temples and public buildings: large entrance stairs, multi-columned porticos, podiums, high wall decor. In the era of the dominate (284-305 AD), the appearance of Roman architecture changed: the amount of decoration decreased, the clarity of volumes and proportions decreased. At this time, techniques appeared that later began to be used in Byzantine architecture: a combination of stone and brick, mosaic decoration. For example, the temple of Jupiter was built of white stone, brick, colored marble was used for facing, the surfaces were covered with plaster, mosaic, plaster moldings. At the same time, the art of stone carving faded away: stucco became coarser and less detailed. The developing Byzantine art used the traditions of the architecture of the Roman Empire and Ancient Greece, combining them with oriental motifs. During the 5th c. on the basis of these trends in Roman architecture, European architecture began to take shape, bringing great works to world architecture. Until now, many of the elements of Roman architecture are used in the construction of buildings in historical styles. And with the advent of artificial materials that imitate natural ones, such as, for example, polyurethane, such construction has become more democratic, reducing the cost and the need for large labor costs.

The facade of the apartment building is reminiscent of ancient Roman buildings.

strikes the imagination. Almost 3,000 years of the eventful history of the Roman lands more than adorned the city with masterpiece architecture of varying degrees of antiquity and importance, different styles and directions of architecture. From the ruins of ancient walls, arches and temples, to twentieth-century buildings such as the construction of Termini Station. In the capital of Italy, almost at any step, one can admire the harmonious and refined architecture of Rome in the implementation of artistic ideas.

It is not at all easy to find out in detail the dates of the construction of many buildings of the architecture of Rome - and is it necessary, in this case, to find out the encyclopedic authenticity; because when feelings often prevail over the mind. But even the most poorly prepared traveler in world history can distinguish an ancient Roman temple with a Christian basilica: there are pagan chic porticos, columns and passages, here - ascetic modesty of lines and an emphasis on the spiritual at the expense of the physical.

The architecture of Rome is a reflection of the main historical and cultural periods of the formation of the capital of Rome. In general, the historical architecture of Rome can be divided into a number of large temporary groups: ancient buildings, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the buildings of the New Age.

Architecture of Rome: Antiquity

The monuments of ancient architecture of Rome are almost the main reason for the interest of international groups of travelers, every year almost an onslaught of exciting Roman sights.

Palatine Hill - the place where Rome appeared as a city - their greatest concentration per unit area. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum, the baths of Caracalla, circuses and amphitheatres, pagan altars of Saturn and Vulcan, the arches of Septimius Severus and Constantine, many temples and the ruins of residential areas with amazing mosaics - this is only a small part of ancient architecture.

Connoisseurs of Christian antiquity will be delighted with a visit to the churches of Santa Constanta and San Clemente. And also from the dungeons of the church of St. Agnes, in which the pioneers of the new religion hid from imperial persecution.

The symbol of Rome and Italy in general, acquired its current name because of the gigantic statue of the mad Nero (“colossus”) placed in front of it, but it was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater. Built in the first century, the amphitheater became the largest building for mass entertainment in the entire Roman Empire. The diameters of the oval of the structure are 156 and 188 m, in height - almost 50! No wonder that such open spaces could accommodate more than 50,000 Romans who wanted spectacles.

The Colosseum survived, in fact, not flawlessly. The frantic history of the region predisposed to accelerated deterioration of the structure (by the way, the first preserved Roman amphitheater in the world is located in Tunisian El Jem; it often plays the role of the Colosseum in the cinema), but the former greatness has not disappeared: here, with their mouths open, travelers stand in front of suite of arches, the last of which disappears somewhere high in the sky.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to the Colosseum, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet.

The legendary architecture of Rome includes the Roman Forum - at one time the central market, and now the square that fills the center of the ancient part of the city. It is the epicenter of the social and political life of Roman citizens. It is from there that the current meaning of the word “forum” originates.

It must be borne in mind that the Forum is not the easiest example of Roman architecture in terms of perception. Many ruins here look ruined to such an extent that the imagination impotently subsides. Therefore, it is worth getting ready that only the most knowledgeable or stubborn will be able to admire the ancient architecture of Rome in full. As a result, you need to keep in mind that in the summer the sun is hot here mercilessly.

Near the forum at first there were pagan sanctuaries. With the collapse of the empire, it lost its social significance and was practically overgrown with weeds, until the Christians began to build their temples on it. In the 19-20 centuries, archaeological excavations began here, as a result of which the forum received modern cultural significance.

At present, the forum concentrates many ancient architectural artifacts near it, for example, the Sacred Road, the Capitol, the Temple of Saturn and so on. You can approach it from Foli Imperiali Street or from the Capitol, bypassing the Capitoline Descent from Foro Romano Street. Another road to the forum passes through the Temple of Concord, the Portico of the Blessing Gods, the Mamertine Prison, which also makes it possible to get acquainted with these monuments of ancient architecture in Rome.

Baths of Caracalla

The bathhouse, something not at all alien to a Russian person, was quite in demand in Ancient Rome. But the ancient Roman baths-saunas were called differently - terms. They went there to warm up, swim, and at the same time talk, sort out business issues, find suitable partners for their ancient Roman business.

The baths were built at the beginning of the 3rd century AD under the emperor who ruled under the name of Septimius Bassian, but the most famous, as is often the case with Roman emperors, by the nickname Caracalla preserved by historians.

It is amazing that the large-scale, grandiose and chic building of the Baths of Caracalla in terms of its functionality was “only” public baths, which promised the visitor, however, many hours of varied relaxation, both bathing and swimming, and sports, and also intellectual. It was a huge public building, stunning in its size and luxury of decoration. One can insist that the Baths of Caracalla are as majestic and monumental as the Colosseum or the Mausoleum of Hadrian.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to the Baths of Caracalla, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet.

Middle Ages

The not very prosperous Middle Ages tangibly worsened the appearance of the Eternal City during the vandal invasions, and gave a number of sights to the architecture of Rome. One of the most famous is the castle of Sant'Angelo on the western bank of the Tiber. Feudal turrets, loopholes and halls with high dark ceilings, combined with powerful battlements in the literal sense of impenetrable fortress walls, give a visual representation of the disturbing life in those days.

It makes sense to visit the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva: although its facade was restored in the 19th century, the original medieval style of Rome's architecture was carefully preserved. It makes sense to visit the temple of Santa Maria del Anima, built at the end of the 14th century for the needs of pilgrims in Rome.

Architecture of Rome: Castel Sant'Angelo

The unique architecture of Rome is the Castel Sant'Angelo. The construction of the Castel Sant'Angelo began in Rome as early as 135. During its almost 2000th history, it was remodeled more than once and used as a castle itself, and was also a tomb, the residence of popes, a storehouse and, of course, a dungeon. Now in the castle of the Holy Angel is the Military History Museum, where travelers can see the Secret Archive, the Treasure Hall, the papal apartments, the loggia of Paul III, the hall of Clement VII, the courtyard of Alexander VI and many other things - more than 50 rooms that form a real labyrinth!

The building acquired its name in 590, when during the plague, Pope Gregory the Great had a vision in which the Archangel Michael was on the roof, sheathing his sword. This meant that the raging disaster had come to an end. Just after that, the fortress began to be called the Castel Sant'Angelo.

Renaissance

Much of the architecture of Rome that can currently be seen has to do with the Renaissance period - the restoration of the classical canons of harmony after the gloomy Middle Ages. By the way, for the comfortable radial arrangement of the streets, Rome should be grateful just to the urban planners of the Renaissance. Among the buildings of this period, the most attention is focused on the architectural dominant of Rome - St. Peter's Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel, as well as many secondary churches and temples.

It is worth paying attention to the graceful domes of the Renaissance buildings going up: it is possible to climb on a number of them (for example, on the highest point of Rome - the dome of St. . Well, at the end of the Renaissance in the architecture of Rome, baroque blooms in a riotous color, with all its ornate bas-reliefs, rounded marble Cupids and tropical gypsum flora. For baroque sensations, you should go to its three chic fountains, and you should not miss the colonnade of St. Peter's Cathedral.

The heart of the Vatican and the whole Catholic community, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome's architecture. Here it is possible to take a bird's-eye view of ancient Rome, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, attend the mass and even be blessed by the pontiff.
St. Peter's Basilica is, without embellishment, history itself, realized in stone.

The list of famous people who in one way or another had a hand in its architecture and interior will fill more than one page, and within its walls the fate of the whole world, states and peoples was decided. The history of the cathedral dates back to the 4th century with the construction of a simple basilica over the alleged burial place of the Apostle Peter. Until the 15th century, the structure was no different. And in 1506, by papal decree, it was planned to remake the basilica into a monumental cathedral, the center of Catholicism and a symbol of the power of the pontiff.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet.

Modern architecture of Rome

The architecture of Rome of the modern era in Rome is also represented in large numbers, in no small part due to construction during the time of Italian fascism and the rule of Mussolini. Within the revival of the idea of ​​great Rome and the great Romans, the architecture of Rome of that time came out pompous, pretentious, cumbersome and harsh.

Most of it is concentrated on the western bank of the Tiber River and in the Prati region. One example of the architecture of Rome in the early 20th century is the Palace of Justice.

But among the ponderous new imperial buildings, there are also true masterpieces, for example, the modernist building of Termini Station, completed in 1950, with a travertine facade and metal panel inserts, a symbol of modern, vibrant Rome.

The Palace of Justice is one of the most famous landmarks of the architecture of Rome and Italy in general. Currently, the building is the residence of the Supreme Court of Cassation, it is located in the Prati area, near the Castel Sant'Angelo. One of its main strengths is its exterior: a lot of decorative elements in the form of statues and stucco are concentrated on the castle. When visiting Rome, be sure to look at this amazing structure.

The beginning of the construction of the castle fell on March 14, 1888. During its construction, Giuseppe Zanarrdelli, the keeper of the state seal, was present. It was he who defended the fact that the Palace was built in the Prati area. Then in that part of Rome there were already judicial institutions, but the Palace of Justice became the largest of them. For the construction, platforms were needed, which were created from concrete. During the construction, excavations were carried out and many sarcophagi were found.

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The ancient sights of Rome can be assessed today very ambiguously. An impressive arena in which no form of torture was considered too cruel. Places of worship where the gods were often worshiped through ritual sacrifices that shock us today. Pleasure palaces where sexual corruption was not only accepted but even encouraged. The state of Ancient Rome attracts the interest of many researchers and history buffs.

Who were the people who created such grandiose structures in Rome? What made them build ever greater monuments, and at what cost? What were the laws The answers to these questions are very interesting, although to this day we do not know everything. The ancient sights of Rome are really impressive. We will present you some of them.

Coliseum

Crowds of people were attracted to the arena by the bloody spectacle. Sometimes in the Roman Colosseum there were spectators up to 50 thousand people. All of them longed to see scenes of indescribable horror. To know, priests, senators, emperors, slaves, ordinary people had fun seeing the bloody scenes.

Gladiators fought each other wearing heavy armor. Often they beat the opponent to death. In the arena, wild hungry animals were set against each other, released to fight with a man. The goal pursued by the participants in these confrontations was to tear each other to shreds. Some features of Ancient Rome are incomprehensible to us today.

Filling the performance arena with water

Various types of special effects were used on stage. These included filling the arena with water to simulate naval battles. How did the ancient Romans manage to fill the Colosseum with water?

Everything is actually quite simple: a system of reservoirs was filled from the aqueducts. They were right above the arena, on the slope. These resourceful ancient Romans pumped water down from aqueducts and then through tanks to the center of the Colosseum. A more difficult question is how they managed to then pump out the water?

It is believed that the ancient Romans built a sewer system. However, researchers have yet to answer this question, since very little excavation has been carried out in the Colosseum until today. The ancient sights of Rome have not yet been sufficiently studied.

Bloody competition

The main Roman myths were part of the play. And the worse they were, the better. Christians and criminals were often placed in the most dangerous roles.

In the Roman Colosseum, bloody competitions have prevailed since its opening, which took place in 72 AD. The opening ceremony was hosted by Emperor Titus. It lasted 100 days. An unprecedented massacre occurred on the opening day: about 5,000 animals died.

Colosseum - gift of Vespasian

The Colosseum is a gift to the Romans from Titus' predecessor and father. Vespasian, the founder of the Flavian dynasty, began to rule in 69 AD. This time was a critical moment in the history of Rome. Hundreds of years had passed since the empire was founded by Augustus, and now its future was very uncertain.

Chaos reigned as the Four Emperors began to change in one year. After that, Vespasian, who ruled Syria, seized power.

A clever diplomat and hero, he easily gained the support of the Senate and was declared emperor. After that, having suppressed the rebellion on the Rhine and the Jewish rebellion in Jerusalem, he focused on domestic problems.

Vespasian over a ten-year reign saved the treasury from the deficit left by his predecessor Nero. He also began to build a lot of the most grandiose enterprise was the Colosseum. It was conceived as a symbol of the success and power of Vespasian.

Construction of the Colosseum

It took more than 10 years to complete the construction. The Colosseum was originally called the Flavius ​​Amphitheatre. Many laborers and slaves were used for its construction. Some of the builders were prisoners taken by Vespasian after winning the Jerusalem campaign.

Until now, the name of the architect who created the Colosseum is unknown. One of the most amazing features of this attraction is the highly sophisticated crowd control system. The amphitheater originally had 80 entrances. All of them led to certain sectors. Places were divided into tiers.

The fate of the Colosseum

The last games known from written sources were played in the 6th century AD. They completed this cruel competition, which amused the once bloodthirsty Romans. The Colosseum was not used for a long time after that. It was partially destroyed, like many other ancient sights of Rome. A terrible earthquake occurred in the 9th century, as a result, most of it was destroyed.

Later, the Colosseum began to be used as a quarry. Rich marble cladding was torn off, which began to be used in the construction of churches and palaces. Still intact is part of the four levels that originally existed. To this day, the Colosseum is a testament to both the cruelty of the ancient Romans and the skill of the people who built the sights of Ancient Rome. It attracts many tourists to Italy.

Pantheon

The temples of ancient Rome are impressive. The most famous of them is the Pantheon. In the 1930s, Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, conceived an original propaganda campaign. In particular, he drew parallels between the glory of the new regime and the greatness that the empire of ancient Rome possessed. This led to a lot of archaeological research and excavations throughout the state. Due to the flood of the Tiber, deposits of earth appeared on many monuments, which completely covered them. because of its proximity to the river was badly damaged. This structure was built approximately from 27 to 23 BC.

Architectural plan discovered by workers

The workers, having dug 6-7 meters into the ground, discovered the pavement, which was made of massive blocks. However, the Second World War soon began, and for some time this discovery was forgotten. Only 20 years later, in 1964, Roman experts began to study this place again. A full-size architectural plan was carved into the pavement. It is obvious that the yard served as a workshop for a construction site. The whole question is for what.

None of the existing monuments corresponded to the project. One of the experts in 1992 solved the riddle. It seems that these plans were made for the Pantheon. Many parts of the structure exactly matched, but not all.

First Pantheon

The Pantheon is a famous temple that was built in honor of the emperor, as well as to worship the gods of Rome. What we see now is not the first Pantheon. The temple was originally the idea of ​​Marcus Agrippa, a powerful Roman general. Construction began in 27 BC and was completed two years later. However, in 64 AD. a great fire destroyed the Pantheon.

Rebuilding the Pantheon

After this, in 118 AD, rebuilding began, which was led by He was an amateur architect who participated in many building projects in Rome.

The Pantheon was built after 10 years of work. Adrian dedicated the building to its first builder. That is why the name of Mark Agrippa is visible on the facade.

The Pantheon has a huge rotunda made of brick and stone, as well as a vault that forms a dome. The Pantheon is a square building, 43 meters high and wide. Its walls are 7.5 meters thick, and each of the bronze doors weighs 20 tons.

Where there are now paintings on biblical motifs, marble statues of the gods of Rome used to stand.

Baths of Caracalla

The sights of Ancient Rome also include the Baths of Caracalla. These ancient baths are similar to modern wellness centers. They are the largest and most ornate of all the public baths built in ancient Rome. Their construction was started by Septimius Severus in 206 AD. And the construction was completed in 216. Opened by the son of Septimius.

Therm decorations, their use

These buildings of ancient Rome were really richly decorated: walls lined with marble, mosaic floors, stucco ceilings.

The terms occupied a large and beautifully decorated area, which was used as a gym. Here men went in for sports: they threw a spear, a disk, boxed. Entry to the baths, even for slaves, was free. Initially, women and men washed together, but at the beginning of the 2nd century, Hadrian forbade this.

The invasion is ready, the destruction of the term

These buildings of ancient Rome continued to be used until 535 AD. At this time, the Goths invaded and broke the aqueduct. The same fate befell the Baths of Caracalla, like many other monuments of Ancient Rome. They were partially destroyed. The large sums required for their repair disappeared when the empire collapsed, the surrounding world familiar to the inhabitants disappeared. Ancient Rome was fading away.

In the Middle Ages, marble and bronze were torn off the walls, and the beautiful sculptures that adorned the baths ended up in the collections of Roman popes and the aristocracy.

Forum

Not much remains of the majestic Roman Forum. It was the center of life in Rome. The Forum appeared in the 4th century BC. In its place today, only fragments of some monuments, many overturned stones and a couple of vaults have survived. We note right away that the imperial forums adjoin the Roman Forum, which are not part of the Roman Forum, although they are similar to it both in purpose and in name.

Reconstruction of the Forum by Augustus

The construction of the forum was accidental. There was no systematic plan. Therefore, the forum lacked harmony. During the time of Augustus it was completely reconstructed. This emperor removed most of the structures, while paving and expanding the territory. Now what the forum looked like during the period of the republic is a mystery. Many buildings were wooden, so they were demolished or destroyed. August used only stone and cement for construction.

Vestals

The temples of ancient Rome in the forum include a temple dedicated to the Roman people. She was one of the most important and ancient goddesses. It was associated with the heart and also with fire. It was believed that this fire represented the spiritual power of the whole country. She was served by priestesses who made sure that the fire did not go out. They always had to remain virgins, otherwise they were expected to be executed. Vestals lived near the temple. They were chosen from aristocratic families aged 6 to 10 years. For 30 years they had to serve at the temple. At the end of their service, these women were thus at least 36 years old. To many they seemed too old to marry. Most of the Vestals remained priestesses until the end of their lives.

It far surpassed the samples created by the Greeks in grandeur, functionalism and scale. In part, the invention of good cement played an important role here. But no less important was the pride of the emperors, who over the centuries tried to surpass their predecessors, erecting more and more majestic, grandiose and richly decorated monuments.