Roman Civilization: Urbanism and Architecture
Roman Civilization: An Urban Civilization
Urban Propagation Model
With the extension of their domain across the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and the British Isles, Roman governors, magistrates, legionaries, settlers, and businessmen tried to reproduce the model of Rome. They reurbanized indigenous settlements into cities resembling Rome or created new ones, known as Coloniae. The Romans consistently planned and replicated this model with slight variations. Grouping the indigenous population into cities was the most effective means of control.
Public Works: The Image of Power
A second characteristic of Roman civilization was its imperialism. Rome was a metropolis that conquered and controlled. Their economic power gave them the opportunity to build significant public works.
The Origins of Roman Construction
The Romans assimilated construction models and systems from the Etruscans. From the Greeks, they adopted different architectural styles. The Romans adapted all these contributions to their mentality.
The Roman City
The Layout of the City
We must distinguish between two city systems: natural and planned layouts.
The Natural Path
This model was common in pre-Roman primitive villages of Italy. This type of layout sought adaptation to the physical terrain, normally involving elevated enclosures. These walled enclosures were designated as oppidum. Elevations were built in strategic locations, with private land surrounding them.
The Planned Route
This had been developing similarly and simultaneously in the eastern Mediterranean and in the Etruscan civilization. The Romans copied the structures and spread them throughout the Empire. The design of this model responded to a rectangular grid layout of streets that crossed, forming an insula. At the heart of this network were two main streets: the decumanus maximus, which ran from east to west, and the cardo maximus, which ran from north to south. These streets led to the city entrances.
Public Buildings and Monuments
Around the forum, buildings symbolizing the main institutions of the city were concentrated:
- Temples: Celebrated the official religion of the cult; they were usually rectangular.
- Basilicas: Featured porches and covered areas where the court would meet to discuss business or simply stroll; they served as the model for Christian churches.
- The Curia: Where representatives of the city assembled.
- Grandstands: For political speeches and government announcements.
- Markets: For all types of exchanges.
Major cities could have more than one forum. Honorary monuments were erected in the forums. The most characteristic monuments were:
- Triumphal Arches: Monumental gates adorned with statues, inscriptions, reliefs, and columns.
- Columns, Obelisks, and Memorials: Commemorating significant military achievements.
Spaces for Leisure
Venues for leisure included theaters, circuses, and amphitheaters.
Theater
Comedy reached its peak following the progressive cultural influence of the Greeks. Roman architects copied and adapted the type of center stage that was used in Greek cities. The Roman theater consisted of a tier (cavea) surrounding the theater space. In front of the orchestra was a platform (scaena), which was closed by a wall (scaenae frons). There were three gates through which the actors came and went.
The Amphitheater
It was an enclosure consisting of two elliptical theaters united at the orchestra. Amphitheaters are typically Roman buildings. The central elliptical space, the arena, was where gladiatorial fights took place. It could also be enabled to represent naval battles and was the usual scene of executions for those condemned to death.
Circus
The circus was the site where chariot races were held. This show was preferred by the Romans. It was a long rectangular space, with a long wall known as the spina in the center.