Embedded Files
The Romans’ greatest contributions to science and technology came in the fields of architecture and engineering. Roman builders learned from the Greeks, Etruscans, and others. Then they added their own genius to take construction in new directions.
Architecture - The Romans learned how to use the arch, the vault, and the dome. A vault is an arch used to support a roof. A dome is a series of vaults that form a high, rounded roof.
The Romans were the first to make widespread use of concrete. They made it by mixing broken stone with sand, cement, and water. Then they allowed the mixture to harden. With the use of concrete, they were able to build much bigger arches than anyone had ever tried before. Roman baths and other public buildings often had great arched vaults. The Pantheon is famous for its huge dome. The Pantheon was a magnificent temple that is now a church. It still stands in Rome.
The Romans also invented a new kind of building. They invented the stadium. This was a large, open-air structure. The Romans used concrete to build tunnels into the famous Colosseum in Rome. The tunnels helped spectators to easily reach their seats. This is a feature that stadiums still use today.
The grand style of Roman buildings has inspired many architects throughout the centuries. One Roman invention that was widely copied is the triumphal arch. This is a huge monument built to celebrate great victories or achievements. One modern example is the Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph) in Paris, France. This monument celebrates the victories of the French emperor Napoleon in the early 1800s. Today, it is the national war memorial of France.
You can see a Roman influence in the design of many modern churches, banks, and government buildings. A fine example is the Capitol building. This is the home of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. The Capitol building includes arches, columns, and a dome.
Roman arches (left) have been copied and adapted around the world. The Arc de Triomphe in France (right) is one famous modern example.
Engineering - The Romans revolutionized engineering as well as architecture. They were the greatest builders of roads, bridges, and aqueducts in the ancient world.
About 50,000 miles of road connected Rome with the frontiers of the empire. The Romans built their roads with layers of stone, sand, and gravel. Their methods set the standard of road construction for 2,000 years. In some parts of Europe, vehicles still drive on freeways built over old Roman roads.
The Romans also set a new standard for building aqueducts.They did not invent the aqueduct. But the Romans once again learned the method and improved upon it. They created a system of aqueducts for Rome. The aqueducts brought water from about 60 miles away. The water traveled to the homes of the wealthiest citizens, as well as to the city’s public baths and fountains. The Romans built aqueducts in other parts of the empire as well. The water system in Segovia, Spain, still uses part of an ancient Roman aqueduct. Remains of Roman aqueducts can also be seen in Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor.
The Roman Colosseum has inspired stadium builders throughout history. It was the the labor of enslaved people, the skill of craftsmen, the planning of the government, and the wealth of Rome that made Roman achievements possible. The Colosseum, for example, was built by tens of thousands of captured Jews who were enslaved.
Aqueducts were designed to supply more citizens with access to water. Ancient Roman aqueducts were so well built, some still stand in Europe today.
Early aqueducts had to rely on the force of gravity to move water over long distances. So the water could only move from a high point to a lower point. Modern aqueducts use electric pumps to move the water along.
Legacy of Rome - Section 3.mp4Page updated
Report abuse