Roman Architecture | ClipArt ETC

This ClipArt gallery offers 231 illustrations of ancient Roman architecture. Roman architecture adopted many styles from the Greek, and is most noted for their expert implementation and frequent use of the arch and dome.

An abacus is denoted primarily a square tablet of any description, and was hence employed in the following significations: 1. A table, or side-board, chiefly used for the display of gold and silver cups, and other kinds of caluable and ornamental utensils. The use of abaci was first introduced at Rome from Asia Minor after the victories of Cn. Manlius Vulso, B.C. 187, and their introduction was regarded as one of the marks of the growing luxury of the age; 2. A draught-board or chess-board; 3. A board used by mathematicians for drawing diagrams, and by arithmeticians for the purposes of calculation; 4. In architecture, the flat square stone which constituted the highest member of a column, being placed immediately under te architrave.

Abacus

An abacus is denoted primarily a square tablet of any description, and was hence employed in the following…

Acanthus

"A genus of small herbaceous plants of southern Europe and Africa; they have spinosely toothed leaves,…

The Roman acanthus constitutes a type, rather than a particular form of leaf. As compared with the Greek type, it is less massive, less pointed, more minutely modeled. It suggests a larger, thinner, more flexible and more complex leaf, with well-developed "eyes" at the bases of the lobes and "pipes" or ribs curving from these to the base of the leaf.

Acanthus Leaves

The Roman acanthus constitutes a type, rather than a particular form of leaf. As compared with the Greek…

Four types of acanthus leaves.

Acanthus Leaves

Four types of acanthus leaves.

"Roman amphitheater at Pola, Dalmatia." -Breasted, 1914

Amphitheater

"Roman amphitheater at Pola, Dalmatia." -Breasted, 1914

The Roman amphitheater in Arles built in the Middle Ages.

Amphitheater

The Roman amphitheater in Arles built in the Middle Ages.

"Amphitheatre at Rome." — Goodrich, 1844

Roman amphitheatre

"Amphitheatre at Rome." — Goodrich, 1844

"The remains of Ampitheater of Arles, France. "-Whitney, 1902

Ampitheater

"The remains of Ampitheater of Arles, France. "-Whitney, 1902

"The remains of Ampitheater of Nimes, France. "-Whitney, 1902

Ampitheater

"The remains of Ampitheater of Nimes, France. "-Whitney, 1902

"Antefixa representing Minerva superintending the construction of the Ship Argo. Antefixa are terra-cottas, which exhibited various ornamental designs, and were used in architecture to cover the frieze of the entablature. These terra-cottas do not appear to have been used among the Greeks, but were probabl Etruscan in their origin, and were thence taken for the decoration of Roman buildings. The name antefixa is evidently derived from the circumstance that they were fixed before the buildings which they adorned. Cato, the censor, complained that the Romans of his time began to despise ornaments of this description, and to prefer the marble friezes of Athens and Corinth. The rising taste which Cato deplored may account for the superior beauty of the antefixa preserved in the British Museum, which were discovered at Rome." — Smith, 1873

Antefixa

"Antefixa representing Minerva superintending the construction of the Ship Argo. Antefixa are terra-cottas,…

"The two imperfect antefixa, are amoung those found at Velletri, and described by Carloni. Antefixa are terra-cottas, which exhibited various ornamental designs, and were used in architecture to cover the frieze of the entablature. These terra-cottas do not appear to have been used among the Greeks, but were probabl Etruscan in their origin, and were thence taken for the decoration of Roman buildings. The name antefixa is evidently derived from the circumstance that they were fixed before the buildings which they adorned. Cato, the censor, complained that the Romans of his time began to despise ornaments of this description, and to prefer the marble friezes of Athens and Corinth. The rising taste which Cato deplored may account for the superior beauty of the antefixa preserved in the British Museum, which were discovered at Rome." — Smith, 1873

Antefixa

"The two imperfect antefixa, are amoung those found at Velletri, and described by Carloni. Antefixa…

"A street of tombs outside Rome, on the Appian Way." -Breasted, 1914

Appian Way Tombs

"A street of tombs outside Rome, on the Appian Way." -Breasted, 1914

A famous road with many branches which connected Rome with Southern Italy

Construction of a Portion of Appian Way

A famous road with many branches which connected Rome with Southern Italy

"Roman aqueduct near Nimes, in France."—Colby, 1899

Aqueduct

"Roman aqueduct near Nimes, in France."—Colby, 1899

"A conduit for conveying water more particularly applied to structures for conveying water from distant sources for the supply of large cities." — Williams, 1889

Aqueduct

"A conduit for conveying water more particularly applied to structures for conveying water from distant…

A Roman aqudect.

Roman aqueduct

A Roman aqudect.

Roman Aqueduct

"Part of a Roman Aqueduct. Aqueducts form one of the most characteristic features of Roman architecture.…

"The ruined aqueducts in the Campagna." — Young, 1901

Ruined aqueducts

"The ruined aqueducts in the Campagna." — Young, 1901

"Ambo in the Ara Coeli." — Young, 1901

Ambo in the Ara Coeli

"Ambo in the Ara Coeli." — Young, 1901

An arcade is a passage or walkway covered over by a succession of arches or vaults supported by columns. An engaged column is a column embedded in a wall and partly projecting from the surface of the wall, sometimes defined as semi or three-quarter detached. In Roman architecture they exist in profusion, most commonly embedded in the cella walls of pseudoperipteral buildings. Engaged columns are distinct from pilasters, which by definition are ornamental and not structural.

Roman Arcade with Engaged Columns

An arcade is a passage or walkway covered over by a succession of arches or vaults supported by columns.…

"Triumphal arches from a class apart among the monuments of Roman architecture. It was an early custom for victorious generals to make a triumphal entry into the city, during which were displayed the spoils of war in the shape of arms, temple vessels, jewels and more. Larger triumphal arches had a smaller passage on each side, besides the main entrance."

Arch of Constantine

"Triumphal arches from a class apart among the monuments of Roman architecture. It was an early custom…

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill.

Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill.

Arch of Titus (Rome)

Arch of Titus

Arch of Titus (Rome)

"Arches of S. Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Arches

"Arches of S. Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

The amphitheater of Arles is a roman amphitheater in the southern French town of Arles. It is still in use today.

The Amphitheater of Arles

The amphitheater of Arles is a roman amphitheater in the southern French town of Arles. It is still…

Roman Astragal

"Roman Ovolo Molding, with Pearl Beading. The ornamentation had to correspond with the massive character…

Roman Astragal

"Ornamented Roman Astragal. The ornamentation had to correspond with the massive character of Roman…

The so-called Attic base is the form which most frequently occurs; and consists of two tori separated by a cavetto, the whole having a plinth as basis; the upper torus being less high and projecting than the lower.

Attic Base in the Temple of Minerva Polias

The so-called Attic base is the form which most frequently occurs; and consists of two tori separated…

Simple water leaf molding.

Band Molding

Simple water leaf molding.

Enriched water leaf molding.

Band Molding

Enriched water leaf molding.

Acannthus leaf enriched molding.

Band Molding

Acannthus leaf enriched molding.

Banqueting room

"The Roman people reclined at their meals. On each couch there were commonly three persons. They lay…

Basilica

"Section of the Basilica of Constantine or Maxentius (Temple of Peace)." — Encyclopedia Britanica,…

"Sectional view of the old Basilica of St. Peter, before its destruction in the 15th century." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Basilica

"Sectional view of the old Basilica of St. Peter, before its destruction in the 15th century." —…

"Interior view of trajan's Basilica (Basilica Ulpia), as restored by Canina." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Basilica

"Interior view of trajan's Basilica (Basilica Ulpia), as restored by Canina." — The Encyclopedia…

Basilica

"Section of the Basilica of Maxentius or Constantine (Temple of Peace)." — The Encyclopedia Britannica,…

"Sectional view of the old Basilica of St. Peter, before its destruction in the 16th century." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Basilica

"Sectional view of the old Basilica of St. Peter, before its destruction in the 16th century." —…

"Section of Basilica of S. Agnese at Rome." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Basilica

"Section of Basilica of S. Agnese at Rome." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

"A building which served as a court of law and an exchange, or place of meeting for merchants and men of business. The word was adopted from the Athenians, whose second archon was styled, and the tribunal where he adjudicated the substantive aula or porticus in Latin being omitted for convenience, and the distinctive epithet coverted into a substantive. The first edifice of this description at Rome was not erected until B.C. 182, it was situated in the forum adjoining the curia, and was denominated Bascilica Aemilia, from a medal of Lepidus." — Smith, 1873

Basilica

"A building which served as a court of law and an exchange, or place of meeting for merchants and men…

Basilica of Constantine

"Section of the Basilica of Maxentius or Constantine (Temple of Peace)." — Encyclopediia Britannica,…

This illustration shows the transverse section of the Basilica of Maxentius.

Basilica of Maxentius

This illustration shows the transverse section of the Basilica of Maxentius.

"The Basilica of Maxentius has great intersecting vaults, vaulted aisles and buttresses." — Chambers, 1881

Basilica of Maxentius

"The Basilica of Maxentius has great intersecting vaults, vaulted aisles and buttresses." — Chambers,…

"Sectional view of the old Basilica of St. Peter, before its destruction in the 16th century." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Basilica of Old St Peter

"Sectional view of the old Basilica of St. Peter, before its destruction in the 16th century." —…

"Section of Basilica of S. Agnese at Rome." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Basilica of St Agnese

"Section of Basilica of S. Agnese at Rome." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

"Apse of the Basilica, Torcello, with Bishop's throne and seats for the clergy."

Apse of the Basilica

"Apse of the Basilica, Torcello, with Bishop's throne and seats for the clergy."

A roman moulding, called a <em>Bead.</em> It is a molding consisting of a semi-circle on a flat surface. This is also called a <em>Half Round</em>.

Bead

A roman moulding, called a Bead. It is a molding consisting of a semi-circle on a flat surface.…

"Roman bridge at St. Chamas in Southern France." -Breasted, 1914

Bridge

"Roman bridge at St. Chamas in Southern France." -Breasted, 1914

"The usual form of independent monumental tombs was a ponderous tower-shaped block, sometimes square, and sometimes round, with a quadrangular substructure; as, for instance, the tomb of Cæcilia Metella at Rome, which belongs to the time of Julius Cæsar, and which was used in the Middle Ages as a fortress, with battlements added to it.

Tomb of Cæcilia Metella

"The usual form of independent monumental tombs was a ponderous tower-shaped block, sometimes square,…

"Campanile and Facade of SS Giovanni E Paolo." — Young, 1901

Campanile

"Campanile and Facade of SS Giovanni E Paolo." — Young, 1901

"S. Sominic's Orange Tree, with Campanile of S. Alessio." — Young, 1901

Campanile

"S. Sominic's Orange Tree, with Campanile of S. Alessio." — Young, 1901

Candelabrum

"Candelabrum in S. Paolo Fuori." — Young, 1901

"The Composite or Roman order was the outcome of the attempt to improve the Corinthian, of which it was in fact a somewhat free version." —D'Anvers, 1895

Composite capital

"The Composite or Roman order was the outcome of the attempt to improve the Corinthian, of which it…

"The favorite order was the richly-decorated Corinthian, the beauty of which the Romans strove to increase by adding to it a fulness and strength such as the Greeks never succeeded in attaining." —D'Anvers, 1895

Roman-Corinthian Capital

"The favorite order was the richly-decorated Corinthian, the beauty of which the Romans strove to increase…

The Capitoline Hill, between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. By the 16th century, Capitolinus had become Campidoglio in the Roman dialect. The English word capitol derives from Capitoline. The Capitoline contains few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval and Renaissance palaces (now housing the Capitoline Museums) that surround a piazza, a significant urban plan designed by Michelangelo.

Capitoline Hill in Rome

The Capitoline Hill, between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. By…

"A small temple, supposed to have been build by Numa, and dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, situated on the Esquiline. It was a small and humble structure suited to the simplicity of the age in which it was erected, and was not termed Capitolium until after the foundation of the one mentioned below, from which it was then distinguished as the capitolium vetus." — Smith, 1873;

Capitolium

"A small temple, supposed to have been build by Numa, and dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, situated…

Tepidarium at the Baths of Caracalla.

Baths of Caracalla

Tepidarium at the Baths of Caracalla.

The ground plan of the baths of Caracalla. The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths, or thermae, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla.

Baths of Caracalla

The ground plan of the baths of Caracalla. The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths, or thermae,…

"Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla was eldest son of the Emperor Severus, born in Lyons, A.D. 188. On the death of his father he succeeded to the throne with his brother, Antoninus Geta, whom he speedily murdered. Among the buildings of Caracalla in Rome, the baths-Thermæ Caracallæ- near Porta Capena, were most celebrated, and their ruins are still magnificent."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Hall in Baths of Caracalla

"Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla was eldest son of the Emperor Severus, born in Lyons, A.D. 188.…

The ruins of the baths of Caracalla were roman public baths built in Rome, Italy between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the emperor Caracalla. At the time the baths included marble seats for bathers, a public library, gymnasiums and restaurants.

Ruins of the Baths of Caracalla

The ruins of the baths of Caracalla were roman public baths built in Rome, Italy between AD 212 and…

The ruins of the baths of Caracalla were roman public baths built in Rome, Italy between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the emperor Caracalla. At the time the baths included marble seats for bathers, a public library, gymnasiums and restaurants.

Ruins of the Baths of Caracalla

The ruins of the baths of Caracalla were roman public baths built in Rome, Italy between AD 212 and…