Day 2 - Roman Architecture

Rome made major advancements in architecture taking structures beyond the post and lintel type of building with the use of columns and arches.  They were able to build structures far bigger then ever before using this system. Later they supplemented construction with cement which allowed them to expand buildings even further; the Coliseum was built with the arch system and cement which allowed it to become a four-story arena that could hold 50,000 spectators.

Roman Pantheon exterior
and interior view

The arch in turn became the dome.  The largest dome to be built for 18 centuries was the Pantheon.  The Pantheon was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian. (references: http://www.unrv.com/culture/architecture.php, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome.)

The arch idea was taken and expanded on during the middle ages as different types of vaults including the barrel vault, which became the focus of Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals.

Abbey Church of Saint Etiénne- Nave
and vaults to the east (ca. 1115-1120)