The Architectural Legacy of Ancient Rome

The Romans left many legacies and at the height of their Empire, covering much of Europe they also constructed many different buildings and whole towns, and much of this architecture is still standing today.

From the great amphitheatres to luxury villas, to temples, the Romans structures were not only structurally ahead of their time, but they were also creative and innovative when it came to the materials and designs.

Concrete is something that we think of as a fairly modern material for construction – however, the Romans are believed to be the first civilisation to use concrete in their buildings, which allowed them to construct larger buildings that stood the test of time. Concrete also allowed them to create many of the signature features of Roman architecture, such as the large concrete domes – as can be seen on the Pantheon.

Stone brick and marble also featured heavily in Roman buildings. Marble was a popular choice when it came to building grand buildings like temples – and it is still used today in marble tiles like this //www.irwintiles.ie/marble-stone-tiles  which can be found in many homes around the UK and the rest of the world. Marble was also quarried in Italy although could be transported for long distances.

Decoration was also very important to the Romans. Showcasing the prosperity of the Roman empire and the talented artists within it. One of the most well known forms of Roman decoration is the mosaic. Pictures that are made up of lots of tiny coloured pieces of materials like glass or ceramic, often adorning villas and public spaces like Roman baths.