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This ClipArt gallery offers 249 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. See also the Roman Ornament ClipArt gallery.

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; and also says that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but it is probably that both these works were executed after the Roman conquest. The Romans were the first people who applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the passage-way in a roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. the centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter; and the raised foot paths on each side decursoria, which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica." — Smith, 1873

Pons Cestius

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited…

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; and also says that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but it is probably that both these works were executed after the Roman conquest. The Romans were the first people who applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the passage-way in a roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. the centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter; and the raised foot paths on each side decursoria, which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica." — Smith, 1873

Pons Trajan

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited…

The details of the Porta-Aura (Golden Gate) of the Diocletian Palace at Spalato.

Porta-Aura

The details of the Porta-Aura (Golden Gate) of the Diocletian Palace at Spalato.

A press, where grapes are stepped on to make wine.

Press

A press, where grapes are stepped on to make wine.

A roman moulding, called <em>Raised Fillet.</em> Its projection is generally made equal to its height. It may also be a depression, in which case it is called a <em>Sunk Fillet</em>.

Raised Fillet

A roman moulding, called Raised Fillet. Its projection is generally made equal to its height.…

The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the southern French town of Arles.

Roman Amphitheatre at Arles

The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the southern French town of Arles.

"The Pont du Gard near Nimes (ancient Nemausus) in southern France. Built by the emperor Antoninus Pius. The bridge spans two hilltops nearly a thousand feet apart. It carries an aqueduct with three tiers of massive stone arches at a height of 160 feet above the stream. This is the finest and best preserved aqueduct in existence."&mdash;Webster, 1913

A Roman Aqueduct

"The Pont du Gard near Nimes (ancient Nemausus) in southern France. Built by the emperor Antoninus Pius.…

Arch of Titus.

Roman Arch

Arch of Titus.

"Roman Bath, from a Painting on the Walls of the Thermae of Titus at Rome." &mdash; Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Roman Bath

"Roman Bath, from a Painting on the Walls of the Thermae of Titus at Rome." — Chambers' Encyclopedia,…

"The baths of Titus, the name of each part of the building is inscribed on it. The small dome inscribed laconicum directly over the furnace, and having the clypeus over it, will be observed in the corner of the chamber named concamerata sudatio. The vessels for water are inscribed, according to their temperature, with the same names as some of the chambers, frigidarium, tepisdarium, and calidarium." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Roman Baths

"The baths of Titus, the name of each part of the building is inscribed on it. The small dome inscribed…

A tall stone structure.

Roman edifice

A tall stone structure.

An illustration of the Roman Forum as in 1885. The Roman Forum, sometimes known by its original Latin name, is located between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill of the city of Rome. It is the central area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. Citizens referred to the location as the "Forum Magnum" or just the "Forum

Roman Forum in 1885

An illustration of the Roman Forum as in 1885. The Roman Forum, sometimes known by its original Latin…

A Roman mausoleum at St. Remy, France.

Roman Mausoleum

A Roman mausoleum at St. Remy, France.

Roman niche-cap at Baalbek, Syria.

Roman Niche-Cap

Roman niche-cap at Baalbek, Syria.

Roman pilastel caps show a greater variety of design than capitals of columns.

Roman Pilaster Cap

Roman pilastel caps show a greater variety of design than capitals of columns.

Roman scroll nest.

Roman Scroll Nest

Roman scroll nest.

Roman scroll nest.

Roman Scroll Nest

Roman scroll nest.

"The best preserved of Roman temples. Located at Nimes in southern France, where it is known as La Maison Carree ("the square house"). The structure is now used as a museum of antiquities."—Webster, 1913

A Roman Temple

"The best preserved of Roman temples. Located at Nimes in southern France, where it is known as La Maison…

This illustration shows a famous Roman statue in front of some Roman architecture.

Rome Personified

This illustration shows a famous Roman statue in front of some Roman architecture.

The pantheon at Rome is a temple that was built to all the gods of Ancient Rome. It was built by Marcus Agrippa Roman statesman, general, and son-in-law to Emperor Caesar Augustus. The structure has a circular body with columns and a dome that covers the ceiling.

The Pantheon at Rome

The pantheon at Rome is a temple that was built to all the gods of Ancient Rome. It was built by Marcus…

"Interior of S. Clemente in Rome." &mdash; The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

S. Clemente

"Interior of S. Clemente in Rome." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

"S. Francesca Romana from the Palatine." &mdash; Young, 1901

S. Francesca Romana

"S. Francesca Romana from the Palatine." — Young, 1901

"San Clemente is an excellent example of the primitive church. The side enterance generally used is in the Via S. Giovanni. The main enterance, in the Via S. Clemente, opens on to an atrium with a colonnade of Ionic columns." &mdash; Young, 1901

Interior of San Clemente

"San Clemente is an excellent example of the primitive church. The side enterance generally used is…

"Interior of the Basilica of San Paolo, Rome." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Basilica of San Paolo

"Interior of the Basilica of San Paolo, Rome." —D'Anvers, 1895

"Sant Apollinare in Classe, at Ravenna." &mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Sant Apollinare

"Sant Apollinare in Classe, at Ravenna." —D'Anvers, 1895

Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome built shortly after the time of Constantine.

Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome built shortly after the time of Constantine.

An illustration of the sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus (died c. 280 BC) was one of the two elected Roman consuls in 298 BC. He led the Roman army to victory against the Etruscans near Volterra. A member of the noble Roman family of Scipiones, he was the father of Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina and great-grandfather of Scipio Africanus.

Sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus

An illustration of the sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus…

"Temple of Saturn, Tabularium and Tower of Capitol." &mdash; Young, 1901

Temple of Saturn

"Temple of Saturn, Tabularium and Tower of Capitol." — Young, 1901

The scamillus is the piece of stone sitting directly underneath a column.

Scamillus

The scamillus is the piece of stone sitting directly underneath a column.

A roman moulding, called a <em>Scotia.</em> It consists of two quarter circles one of which has a radius equal to twice the radius of the other. The centers of both arcs must be on the same horizontal line. It is generally applied in the bases of columns.

Scotia

A roman moulding, called a Scotia. It consists of two quarter circles one of which has a radius…

A small portion of the great, Roman-built Hadrian's Wall in Britain, begun in AD 122. Two men, one sitting and one standing, linger next to a low portion of the wall. Hills and mountains rise in the background.

A Section of Hadrian's Wall in Britain

A small portion of the great, Roman-built Hadrian's Wall in Britain, begun in AD 122. Two men, one sitting…

"Arch of Severus, Column of Phocas, and S. Martina." &mdash; Young, 1901

Arch of Severus

"Arch of Severus, Column of Phocas, and S. Martina." — Young, 1901

"A Skyline from the Sette Salle." &mdash; Young, 1901

Roman skyline

"A Skyline from the Sette Salle." — Young, 1901

"Spira, the base of a column. in the Tuscan and the Roman Doric the base consisted of a single torus, sometimes surmounted by an astragal. In the Ionic and Attic it commonly consisted of two tori, divided by a scotia, and in the Corinthian of two tori divided by two scotiae. The upper torus was often fluted, and surmounted by an astragal, as in the left-hand figure of the following wood-cut, which shows the form of the base in the Ionic or Attic temple of Panops on the Ilissus. The right-hand figure in the same wood-cut shows the corresponding part in the temple of Minerva Polias at Athens. In this the upper torus is wrought with a platted ornament, perhaps designed to represent a robe or cable." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Spira

"Spira, the base of a column. in the Tuscan and the Roman Doric the base consisted of a single torus,…

"Interior of St. Clemente in Rome." &mdash; Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Interior of St Clemente

"Interior of St. Clemente in Rome." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

"Section of Basilica of St. Agnes at Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Agnes Basilica

"Section of Basilica of St. Agnes at Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

The Basilica of St. John Lateran (Italian: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the cathedral of the church of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, containing the papal throne (Cathedra Romana), it ranks above all other churches in the Roman Catholic Church, even above St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

St. John's Church, Lateran Palace, Rome

The Basilica of St. John Lateran (Italian: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the cathedral of…

"Section of the Basilica of St. Paul, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Paul Basilica

"Section of the Basilica of St. Paul, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Facade of old St. Peter's, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Peter's

"Facade of old St. Peter's, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

The ancient basilica of St. Peter in Rome.

St. Peter's Basilica

The ancient basilica of St. Peter in Rome.

"facade of old St Peter's, Rome." &mdash; Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Old Facade of St. Peter's

"facade of old St Peter's, Rome." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

"A Greek measure of length, and the chief one used for itinerary distances. It was equal to 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet, or to 125 Roman paces; and the roman mile contained 8 stadia. Hence the stadiura contained 600 feet 9 inches English. This standard prvailed throughout Greece, under the name of the Olympic stadium, so called because it was the exact length of the stadium or footrace course at Olympia, measured between the pillars at the two extremities of the course. The first use of the measure seems to be contemporaneous with the formation of the stadium at Olympia when the Olympic games were revived by Iphitus." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Stadium

"A Greek measure of length, and the chief one used for itinerary distances. It was equal to 600 Greek…

A sculpture of the head of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Lucius Felix. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, or simply Sulla, was a Roman general and politician, holding the office of consul twice as well as the dictatorship.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix

A sculpture of the head of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Lucius Felix. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, or simply…

"Roman temple at Nimes, France." -Breasted, 1914

Temple

"Roman temple at Nimes, France." -Breasted, 1914

The ruins of the temple Aurelian built for Sol Invictus, the sun god.

Temple for Sol Invictus

The ruins of the temple Aurelian built for Sol Invictus, the sun god.

The temple of Jupiter Capitolinus at Rome.

Temple of Jupiter

The temple of Jupiter Capitolinus at Rome.

The Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Ergane, also known as the Hephaisteion or Theseion, is the best preserved ancient Greek temple. It is a Doric order peripteral temple, located at the north-west side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. From the 7th century until 1834, it served as the Greek Orthodox church of St. George Akamates.

Temple of Theseus

The Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Ergane, also known as the Hephaisteion or Theseion, is the best…

The Temple of Venus and Roma (Latin: Templum Veneris et Romae) was the largest known temple in Ancient Rome. Located at the far east side of the Forum Romanum near the Colosseum, it was dedicated to the goddesses Venus Felix (Venus the Bringer of Good Fortune) and Roma Aeterna (Eternal Rome). The architect was the emperor Hadrian. Construction of the temple began in 121. It was officially inaugurated by Hadrian in 135, and finished in 141 under Antoninus Pius. Damaged by fire in 307, it was restored with alterations by the emperor Maxentius.

Temple of Venus and Roma, Plan

The Temple of Venus and Roma (Latin: Templum Veneris et Romae) was the largest known temple in Ancient…

The circular so-called "Temple of Vesta" at Tivoli, of the early first century BCE, has been widely admired since the Renaissance. Its ruins sit on the acropolis of the Etruscan and Roman city of Tibur (now Tivoli), overlooking the falls of the Aniene in a picturesque narrow gully.

Temple of Vesta, Tivoli

The circular so-called "Temple of Vesta" at Tivoli, of the early first century BCE, has been widely…

"The Round temple in the Piazza Bocca Della Verita." &mdash; Young, 1901

Round temple

"The Round temple in the Piazza Bocca Della Verita." — Young, 1901

Illustration of a restored atrium and peristylium of the House of Pansa at Pompeii. The impluvium, pool, sits in the center of the atrium. The peristyle can be seen in the background. Four entrances to cubicula are pictured, as well as the entrances to oecus and andron. Two Ionic columns are visible in the opening between the atrium and peristyle. Four statues line the atrium.

The Interior (Atrium and Peristylium) of Pansa's house at Pompeii, Restored

Illustration of a restored atrium and peristylium of the House of Pansa at Pompeii. The impluvium, pool,…

"The theatre was essentially like the Grecian in its arrangement; it formed a semicircle with seats rising in the form of an amphitheatre for the spectators, at the chord of which was the stage, with its permanent decorations."

Ground Plan of the Theatre at Pompeii

"The theatre was essentially like the Grecian in its arrangement; it formed a semicircle with seats…

The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths, or therm&aelig;, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla. The extensive ruins of the baths have become a popular tourist attraction.

Thermæ of Caracalla, Plan of Central Block

The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths, or thermæ, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216,…

"The threshold was, with the ancients, an object of superstitious reverence, and it was thought unfortunate to tread on it with the left foot. On this account, the steps leading into a temple were of an uneven number, because the worshipper, after placing his right foot on the bottom step, would then place the same foot on the threshold also." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Threshold

"The threshold was, with the ancients, an object of superstitious reverence, and it was thought unfortunate…

"In the time of Trajan, the Arch of titus and the Colossus of Nero (a gilt bronze statue 120 feet high), stood near the site now occupied by the church of S. Francesca Romana. They were removed by Hadrian to make room for the Temple of Venus and Rome, the arch being placed in its present position, and the colossus on the large square pedestal near the Colosseum, of which some remains may be still identified." — Young, 1901

Arch of Titus

"In the time of Trajan, the Arch of titus and the Colossus of Nero (a gilt bronze statue 120 feet high),…

This illustration shows a round temple at Tivoli.

Tivoli

This illustration shows a round temple at Tivoli.

A coffin or tomb of stone; a kind of stone chest, generally more or less ornamented for receiving a dead body. This illustration is the tomb of Scipios.

Roman Sarcophagus Tomb

A coffin or tomb of stone; a kind of stone chest, generally more or less ornamented for receiving a…

Tombs for the ancient people of Pompeii.

Tombs of Pompeii

Tombs for the ancient people of Pompeii.

A roman moulding, called a <em>Torus.</em> It is composed of a semicircle and a fillet. The smicircle projects from the fillet an amount equal to its radius. The concave addition above the fillet and the projection below the half round shows a combination of mouldings used in the base of a <em>Doric Column</em>.

Torus

A roman moulding, called a Torus. It is composed of a semicircle and a fillet. The smicircle…

"Interior view of Trajan's Basilica, as restored by Canina." &mdash; Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910

Interior of Trajan's Bascilica

"Interior view of Trajan's Basilica, as restored by Canina." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1910