Ancient Roman Architecture: Memorials & Engineering

Roman Memorials

Roman memorials were usually located in the forum or on the access roads to the cities.

Triumphal Arches

Triumphal arches were built for parades of victorious troops, dedicated to victorious generals or emperors. They were often placed in strategic locations such as road crossings, near bridges, and especially at the ends of forums.

• Primarily known from the Imperial period, they must have also existed in the Republican period.
• Their typology was diverse:
  • They usually consist of one or three openings, called "eyes," with the central one being the broadest. Above the entablature, a second body called the "attic" or "penthouse" was available, on which inscriptions were placed. The entire structure was completed with architectural and sculptural motifs.
  • There was also a different type of arch with four eyes, forming a square, known as a "quadrifrons arch."

Commemorative Columns

A column is not only a monumental memorial; it can also have other functions, such as the Column of Trajan, which also held his ashes.

• The Roman memorial column rested on a podium, and its entire shaft, which was very high, was decorated with reliefs that narrated the events being commemorated.
• Typically, the top featured a statue of the emperor who ordered its construction.

Roman Engineering Marvels

Reservoirs and Aqueducts

The need for abundant water in cities determined the realization of extensive hydraulic works.

• Reservoirs: Examples include the Proserpina Reservoir in Mérida.
• Aqueducts: These served to channel water through elevated structures, often on arches, to overcome slopes. Notable examples include the Pont du Gard in Nîmes (which is both a bridge and aqueduct), the Aqueduct of Segovia, and the Aqueduct of Los Milagros in Mérida, among others.

Roman Bridges

These were extraordinary engineering works, built on arches and vaults, many of which are still in use today.

• Some were very high, like the Puente de Alcántara.
• Others were of extraordinary length, like the Bridge of Mérida.

Roman Roadways

Roman roads connected all the major cities of the Empire with each other, forming an important network throughout the Empire.

• They consisted of ditches filled with layers of pebbles and other materials, with smooth stones placed on top to improve the surface and facilitate passage.
• These roads allowed for the transfer of goods and communication between the different cities of the Empire.