Roman Architecture - Kyrene School District

Roman Architecture Arches The Romans built arches for support of their structures. The Romans built

arches into all their buildings such as aqueducts and Triumphal Arches. Aqueducts Aqueductsa way to carry water

There wasnt enough water in the city of Rome. The Romans brought water in from the surrounding countryside. The water was brought in by tubes called aqueducts. Why arches?

Water is heavy stuff. The Romans needed a structure strong enough to hold all that water to move it from the mountains into

the city. Where did the water go? The water was transported in concrete tunnels. The tunnels were underground if

possible. Sometimes the tunnel had to go above ground. How did the aqueduct work? The water flowed

in a tube on the top of the aqueduct called a water channel. The arches supported the water channel.

What did the water channel look like? The water flowed through a rectangular channel. The channel was lined with

concrete. The Romans invented concrete. Where else did the Romans use arches? Arches of Triumph Buildings

Roofs Windows Doorways City wall entrance doors Arches of Triumphto celebrate military success

An Amphitheatre; a place for sporting and gladiatorial events. They were always circular. The one in Rome was named the Coliseum and could hold 50,000 spectators. The Coliseum was a blend

of Greek and Roman architecture The arches are supported by central columns. The columns on the first floor are Doric. The columns on the

second floor are Ionic. The columns on the third floor are Corinthian. Wealthy Romans, called patricians had the best seats. Middle-class citizens called plebeians, sat in the

higher seats. Slaves, if they could afford it, sat in the highest seats. The Pantheona temple to all the gods How does an arch work? Keystones The keystone is

the red stone at the top of the arch. The keystone is what the weight rests on. How does an arch work?

Voussoirs The semi-circular stones on either side of the keystone are the voussoirs. The voussoirs bring the weight to

the columns that go to the ground. How does an arch work? Buttressing The square or rectangular blocks between each arch

are buttresses. The buttresses make a column that takes the weight all the way to the ground. Modern arches

Office in Tysons Corner Dominion Towers US Capital Hotel Roanoke Your Task

Go to your seat. You are going to draw an arch. Just follow your teachers directions and you can do it!

First Use the yogurt lid to draw a semicircle. Second Add legs to your semi-circle.

Now you have an arch. Third Draw a smaller arch inside the first one.

Fourth Draw a Keystone at the top of the arch. Fifth

Now draw the Voussoirs that hold the Keystone in place. Sixth Draw a second

arch next to the first one. Go through the same steps. Seventh Connect the arches with buttresses.

You did it! Success!