Meaning in the Geometry and Ornament of Imperial Roman Architecture

Figure 1.

The Ruins of the House of the Vestals, Temple of Romulus and the Basilica Maxentius

We look upon the past with twenty-first century eyes. Perhaps another culture cannot be completely known unless one is born and raised in it; however, the desire to see the world from other people’s viewpoints is valuable, for it lends insights into our own condition. The architecture of Imperial Rome occupies an important place in our collective imagination, yet the meaning it had for its ancient citizens remains a bit of a mystery. Little written information has survived. It is unfortunate that Vitruvius, considered by many as the best source, wrote his treatise two centuries before the empire reached its apogee. Nonetheless, many have tried to gain a greater understanding through empirical observation. While some have contributed insights into the meaning of ancient Roman architecture, few have continued their inquiries past the typologies of the buildings and cities to examine its more intimate aspects.

Figure 2.

Nature / God?

Natural And Artificial

In many ancient cultures, God and nature were intimately connected if not one in the same. The success of an individual, extended family, or city-state was perceived to be directly linked to the support of one or more favored gods. Still, even the most fervent devotion could not always prevent natural disasters or defeats by foreign invaders. While human settlements may have had their own challenges; at least they were controllable – a refuge from the uncertainties posed by nature and the gods. Contemporary society’s perception of nature has changed; most people now inhabit a world that distances them from the unpredictable events that loomed over ancient society.

Figure 3.

Recent Chicago high-rise