Transcript File - Mr. McMath`s Classroom

Romulus and Remus
founders of Rome, saved by a she-wolf and a wood pecker
Keystones
These were the last
keys to be placed in the
forming of an arch.
Barrel Vault
The barrel vault is the simplest
form of a vault: effectively a series
of arches placed side by side, i.e.,
one after another.
Groin Vault
A groin vault or groined
vault (also sometimes
known as a double barrel
vault or cross vault) is
produced by the
intersection at right angles
of two barrel vaults. The
word "groin" refers to the
edge between the
intersecting vaults.
Dome Vault
A dome which is surrounded on four sides
by vaulted arches.
Pont du Gard
1st Century A.D.
Aqueduct
Nimes, France
Pont Du Gard Facts:
 Was angled on a very slight slope to allow the water to run down
 The cement used in production of many Roman buildings is still not
matched today
 Carried freshwater from the Alps to cities in the Roman Empire
 This resulted in toilets, public baths, and better sanitation (not
matched again until the late period of the industrial revolution in the
late 1800’s)
 Also used as a bridge for Roman soldiers and citizens (“all roads
lead to Rome”)
 This allowed easy access throughout the Roman Empire and quick
access for troops to reach areas under threat
 Originally the Romans used terra cotta tiles to line the aqueducts,
but they switched to lead which resulted in many health issues
Colosseum
Flavian Amphitheatre
72-80 AD
Rome, Italy
The tiered system was
based on social class,
with the elite near the
bottom and the poorer
citizens near the top
(sound familiar?)
Uses:
- Gladiator games
- Mock naval battles
- Animal Hunts
- Executions
Colosseum Facts:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gladiator+scene+with+tigers&qs=n&for
m=QBVR&pq=gladiator+scene+with+tigers&sc=0-16&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&mid=A6ED65C2E0AADBDBAD89A6ED65C2E0AADBDB
AD89

It took ten years to build

It is the size of a modern day football stadium

Had a retractable roof to protect the crowd from sun or rain

Sand was spread across the fighting floor to soak up blood from people and
animals

Dead gladiators, slaves, and animals would be taken out through the
Libitinarian Gate, named after the funeral god Libitina

The floor was flooded and mock naval battles were re-enacted

Roughly 50,000 spectators could watch the entertainment (that’s how many
people the skydome holds)

The Ionic and Corinthian Column types adorn the façade of the colosseum
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Animals, slaves, gladiators, and many workers were hidden below in a maze of
rooms and cells

Emperor Trajan hosted Gladiatorial games lasting over 100 days, consisting of
10,000 men and 11,000 animals

Some animals became extinct in southern Europe due to these games
(wolves, bears, lions, leopards)
Arch of Constantine
312-315 AD
Rome, Italy
Arch of Constatine Facts:
 Considered a “triumphal Arch”, this arch commemorated
the arrival of Emperor Constantine to Rome.
 He had united the Eastern and Western Empires into one
after a brief power struggle with his brother-in-law
 The proportion is a little off in the relief sculptures to fit
the small scenes depicted in them
 The medallion sculptures were taken from other
monuments at the time to honour past Emperors
(Marcus Aurilius, Hadrian, and Trajan)
 Constantine was the first Christian Emperor of Rome
The Pantheon
118-125 A.D.
Rome, Italy
Pantheon Facts:
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-
-
Pantheon derives from the Greek words for
“House of Gods”
Originally commemorated the 7 planetary gods
of Rome
The 12 zodiac symbols were decorated above
the gods
Is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete
dome
It stands 143’ high
The dome is 20’ thick at the base and 6’ thick
at the top
The open hole at the top is known as an
“Oculus” meaning eye.
This was used to allow sunlight in, and smoke
from lighting devices out
Emperor Hadrian (of Hadrian’s Wall fame)
dedicated this building to his slain male lover
Antonis.
The building was originally adorned with many
Antonis sculptures
Quite a bit of the decorative pieces were taken
off later and used in the construction works of
Vatican City
Raphael, the famous Renaissance artist, is
buried in the Pantheon
This building sits 7 feet below street level. Can
you guess why?
Trajan Column
106-113 A.D.
Rome, Italy
Trajan Column Facts:
 The monument was dedicated to the Roman victory over
the Dacians around 100-110 AD.
 The Bas Relief Frieze covering the piece shows daily
scenes of the events before, during and after the war
 Originally, a statue of Emperor Trajan was placed at the
top. It disappeared in the middle ages and was replaced
in 1587 by a statue of St. Peter
 The Ashes of Trajan and his wife were originally buried
under the base of the monument
 It stands 125’ tall, and can be ascended from within by a
stairwell
Roman Patrician and his Ancestors
Late 1st Century B.C.
Marble
Life-size
Facts:
- Depicts a Roman man with death
masks of his father and grandfather
- Original death masks were made of
wax, and lasted about thirty years
- The heads were carried in funeral
processions
- These are the modern equivalent of a
family photo
- Is this statue free standing?
Portrait of an Elder
80 B.C.
Marble
Life-size Bust
Facts:
- This death mask was originally
done in wax
- Due to some of the facial
features, some speculate this
man may have suffered from
lead poisoning (lead in the
water from the aqueducts)