Ancient Roman Architecture

Malacrino, C. (2010). Constructing the ancient world: architectural techniques of the Greeks and Romans. Los Angeles, CA: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data.

In this book, Malacrino attempts to show the importance of Ancient Roman architecture for future generations. He argued that many hundred years after that period architects used techniques of Roman counterparts that were forgotten for a certain period of time. New ideas and trends in art and culture empowered the world masters to study architectural techniques of ancient Romans and Greeks that created unforgettable buildings, churches, and statues. Many of them were learned from images and manuscripts that were borrowed in different museums and libraries such as the Vatican Library. Architects of different historical periods tend to improve their knowledge about Ancient Roman architecture. The latter was of great concern among engineers of the Middle Ages who glorified its power and style. Ancient Roman architectural techniques were carried out many years later after the building of Roman masterpieces.

This book will help to understand the post-Roman period and the rebirth of its techniques. The author reminds the readers about the techniques that were used in building the Roman roads, aqueducts, and bridges that are still of great interest to modern architects and engineers all over the world. Many contemporary masters try to reproduce the Ancient Roman techniques. However, not all attempts are successful. The knowledge of the Ancient Romans and Greeks is often hard to rediscover. The author is forthcoming about the methods that contemporary European and American architects borrowed from Ancient Romans and Greeks. Malacrino’s book is impressive and well-researched. As it proves that the Roman Pantheon inspired architects years after it was built, the paper would receive a new approach to the old practice and experience. The source will help to describe more specific details in modern architecture. It gives an opportunity to compare ancient and modern styles of architecture in different countries.

Murphy, L., & Matthews, R. (2010). Art and culture of the Renaissance world. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

In their book, Murphy and Matthews show how the Roman Pantheon inspired architects of the Renaissance. The Pantheon that was built in 110 CE gave birth to new ideas and visions of architects in the Middle Ages. Even over the years, it empowered Europeans to go to Rome and Florence to study Ancient Roman statues and buildings that were survived during the centuries. The architects of the Renaissance traveled to Rome and Greece in order to study ancient manuscripts. The authors argue that during this period, they enriched their knowledge about Ancient Roman culture. The Renaissance was a revival of culture, architecture, and art in Europe. People have shown great concern in ancient Roman architecture. Inspired by Ancient Roman architecture, Pope Nicholas V greatly increased the Vatican Library. This fact proves the idea that people of the Renaissance were ready to improve their knowledge in Ancient Roman architecture that had no analogs in the world history.

Murphy and Matthews argue that people were inspired by Ancient Roman architecture because they realized that Romans used it as an essential tool to improve their power and superiority. This knowledge lets the researcher investigate many principles and techniques of Ancient Roman architecture that were rediscovered and used in engineering nowadays. The paper will show the revival of beauty, comfort, and luxury in building engineering. The authors who argue about the rebirth of Ancient Roman architecture encourage the researcher to portray people who began to think about leisure activities as it was during the ancient Roman period. This would give a special interest and flavor to the paper. It can ensure the reader that the revival of classicism was observed in the Renaissance period in Europe. The new knowledge will improve the quality of the paper. For example, giving some specific descriptions about churches that were built in Ancient Roman style all over the world (e.g. Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, modern Istanbul) may be of great concern for readers.

Ulrich, B., & Quenemoen, C. (2013). A companion to Roman architecture. Oxford, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ulrich and Quenemoen are forthcoming about the techniques that ancient Romans and Greeks used in road building. Nowadays, many people are wondering how ancient architects can create real architectural masterpieces thousands of years ago. Modern masters who are well-educated and equipped try to rediscover the techniques of long durable bridges and tunneling through the rocks. Modern architectural buildings in America, for example, have a flavor of Ancient Rome, though they were built from modern stone and glass. The Ancient Roman architectural approach is especially popular among neo-modernist architects. The recent revival of classical traditions of architecture is observed in many American and Europeans cities. The authors insisted that Ancient Roman architecture inspires modern masters to create and design new buildings that could stand for centuries. Contemporary architects try to create models that can stay as long as the Roman Pantheon. American architects travel to Rome, Florence, and other Italian cities to learn Ancient Rome architecture and try to borrow some elements in their work.

Ulrich’s and Quenemoen’s book provides a thorough examination of modern trends in building in Roman architecture. The paper will benefit from new facts such as a tremendous interest of modern architects to the rebirth of Ancient roman techniques in architecture. The source will improve the quality of the paper by the fact that Europeans have discovered that there is no place in the world that has better architectural models than in Rome. Millions of tourists visit the Colosseum, the Trajan Bridge over the river Danube, aqueducts, amphitheaters arches and columns. The authors argue that Roman architecture has shaped the modern one in many ways throughout the world. Thus, depicting the facts and ideas about Romans, their way of life, cultural and architectural trends will improve the content of the paper and make the reader overview the importance of Ancient Roman architecture.