Roman Architecture in Modern Life: Obelisks

Above left, a Roman obelisk and above right, the Washington monument.

The Romans were very interested by obelisks, to the point where there were more than twice as many obelisks in Rome than in Egypt. We also use obelisks today, the most famous of which is the Washington Memorial.

Noa

Sources Cited:

Cook, Jeff. "Italy Travelogue." Jeff Cook Informational Site. 2 July 2003. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .

Kanoa. "Washington Monument." Daily Venture : Travel Journal with Free Desktop Wallpapers and Stock Photos. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .

"Obelisk." Wikipedia. 18 Oct. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. .

Roman Architecture in Modern Life: Arches

In Rome, arches and aqueducts went hand in hand, as shown by the picture below right, of the aqueduct of Segovia:

The arches in this aqueduct are mainly used to hold the structure in place.

This particular aqueduct is made of granite blocks, although many others are made of concrete and brick.

The Roman tradition of "triumphal arches" are used to celebrate victories in war and rulers. They are a often, although not always, a single arch.

The earliest known triumphal arch was built in 196 BCE. Triumphal arches have since been built in countries such as Australia, Bulgaria, Iraq, and Turkey, to name a few.

Perhaps the most famous arch in the United States, however, is probably the St. Louis Gateway Arch, shown above left as well.

Noa

Sources Cited:

Manzanares, Mary Jo. "Tram to the Top of the St. Louis Arch." Blisstree.com. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. .

"Triumphal Arch." Wikipedia. 13 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. .

Www.wikipedia.com. 13 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. .

Roman Architecture in Modern Life: Domes

My second example for Roman engineering in modern life is a dome. A dome is, when used in buildings, a large, half-sphere shaped roof. Domes are used are just one of the architectural styles that the Romans used. Nowadays, many buildings have domes, such as the US Capitol. In Rome, the Pantheon has a 142 feet in diameter dome that is still the largest masonary dome in the world. The picture to the above left is the dome on the Pantheon in Rome.

Works Cited:



World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times supplied the information posted above.


World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times. McDougal Littell, 2006. Print

I also used About. com: Europe Travel.


"The Pantheon in Rome- Know Before You Go." About.com: Europe Travel. The New York Times Company, 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. http://goeurope.about.com/od/rome/a/pantheon.htm.

Pantheon Picture:

Digital image. Wikipedia Commons. Wikipedia Commons, 20 Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. .

~Beverley

Roman Architecture and Engineering in Modern Life: Aqueducts

My example for Roman architecture is the aqueduct. Aqueducts are bridge-like structures designed to bring fresh water to cities and towns. Romans incorporated arches into the aqueduct as seen in the picture above. In modern times, highway bridges are often built on arches. Also, aqueducts was the early form of irrigation, although it was used for transporting fresh water for farming reasons only.

I used World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times as a source.


Works Cited:


World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times. McDougal Littell, 2006. Print.
Picture source:

Digital image. History Link 102. Web. 11 Oct. 2009. .


~Beverley