Rome. Religion. Romans slightly modified the Greek beliefs in nature gods and balanced it with a very strong sense of realism.

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1 Rome The Ancient Romans expanded on the advances of the Greeks with advanced civic construction and elaborate decorative techniques in the public and private spaces. There was a formal standardization and codification of the orders and civic properties, including city planning. In contrast to the Greeks, they became highly decorative and focused on the interior in the later part of their reign in the Common Era. Religion Romans slightly modified the Greek beliefs in nature gods and balanced it with a very strong sense of realism. Culture The Romans pushed the boundaries of Greek simplicity both in design and life. While still strictly adhering to an ordered civic culture, the empire was in a state of constant expansion and embraced the ostentatious, exotic, and busy lifestyle of city living. Fig. 1: Roman Arch Geography The mild shores of the Mediterranean on were an ideal location for for exporting and expanding their empire. Marble, lime and water (concrete) were in abundant supply. Fig. 2: Groin Vault 7 3 Foundation of the city of Rome Early Rome Conquest of Northern Italy Republican Rome 4 4 Volcano destroys Pompeii High Empire 0 A.D. Baths of Diocletian. Pantheon built ( A.D.) Decline of Rome 0 A.D E Rome controls most of the known Western civilized world Founding of Constantinople

2 Architecture A vast array of civic architecture exploded under the Roman empire. Advancement of the curved arch allowed widespread use in major buildings and interiors. The first example of codified building plans set the stage for centuries of reproducible structures because of the architectural treatise, De Architectura, by Vitruvius. The Roman civic accomplishments of elaborate hot baths, underground heating systems, and aqueducts to provide water to cities are still in use in some places today. Image 1: Reconstruction drawing of the Pantheon s Rotunda Pantheon Domed, coffered ceiling with oculus opening Dome covers the circular, Rotunda below Rotunda Opens into a columned portico Roman Basilica Secular buildings increased in number. The Basilica set the foundation for centuries of Christian church plans. Image 3: Photograph of the capital of the Composite Order Domus The most common single-family townhouse. Inward Focus Major rooms clustered around atrium Image 2: Floor Plan of the house of Pansa, Pompeii Elaboration of Greek Orders noted Orders of the Roman Period The new or modified Greek orders reflect a general push toward increased ornamentation Addition of the Tuscan and Composite Orders

3 Furniture & Sculpture Similar to the Greeks, Romans preferred to recline on sofas while portable tables were used for serving food and drinks by servants. Statues became important pieces of furniture in Roman houses. Busts of bronze and marble were sometimes built into niches and displayed on tables. Image 6: Photograph of Marble Throne Image : Reconstruction drawings of Roman bed, throne and wicker chair Furniture Types Beds were made of wood or metal. Animal feet were typical Seating was typical and types greatly varied Lectus Sleeping or Dining Solium Seat of honor Cathedra Based on Greek Klismos Chair Curule Mobile folding stool with X-shape base Image 7: Photograph of Bronze bust of Janiform Herm with Paniskos and Paniske

4 Arts & Ornamentation Romans are known for a technological developments and a voracious appetite for decorative arts. Experts in ceramics, glass, painted glass, lighting, tableware, mosaics, textiles, elaborate inlay and wall painting techniques. The covering of the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius left interior details not found elsewhere in Rome. Image 8: Mosiac made of stone and mortar Mosiac Techniques Opus Sectile: Large pieces fit into a predetermined pattern Tessellated: Small pieces set in mortar Image 6: Photograph of Marble Throne Image 9: Photograph of a reconstruction of a bedroom from the house of Publius Fannius Synistor, Boscoreale, near Pompeii Decorative Wall Painting Types Incrustation Simplest, geometric, imitation stone technique Architectural Employing aerial perspective. Combined with the Trompe L Oei technique, the exterior was extended indoors Ornate Depiction of animals and humans utilizing perspective Intricate Faux painting that connected walls through a series of paintings that appeared to be murals or tapestry like.

5 Sources 1. Figure 1 & 2: The Arch and the Groin Vault, [tracing]. From Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill 2. Image 2: Looking Into the Pantheon s Great Rotunda from the Entrance Portico, American Academy in Rome. From Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill Whiton. Interior Design and Decoration. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River,: Pearson, Print. 3. Image 3: Floor Plan, the House of Pansa, Pompeii. From Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill 4. Image 4: An Early Example of the Capital of the Composite Order, Carved c. 30, [photograph]. Febermeyer/German Institute of Archaeology, Rome, Italy. From Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill. Image : Reconstruction Drawings of a Roman Bed, Throne, and Wicker Chair. From Pile, John F., and Judith Gura. History of Interior Design. 4th ed. Hoboken: Wiley, Print. 6. Image 6: Throne, [photograph]. William Randolph Hearst Collection. From From Los Angeles Country Museum of Art (LACMA), "Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Art." Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Art, LACMA, n.d. Web. 12 Feb Image 7: Janiform Herm with Paniskos and Paniske, Bronze bust (1 st Century - 1 st Century A.D.), [photograph]. William Randolph Hearst Collection. From Los Angeles Country Museum of Art (LACMA), "Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Art." Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Art, LACMA, n.d. Web. 12 Feb Image 8: Mosiac of Duck Facing Left, Museum Collection Fund. Brooklyn Museum, n.d. Web. 12 Feb < 9. Image 9: Reconstruction of a bedroom from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor, Boscoreala, Ca (40-30 ) [photograph]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. From Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill 10. Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill Whiton. Interior Design and Decoration. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River,: Pearson, Print. 11. Lockey, Author: Ian. "Roman Housing Essay Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d. Web. 12 Feb Interior Design and Decoration Abercrombie, Stanley, and Sherrill Whiton, 6th ed. Pearson, Upper Saddle River, NJ, Print. 13. A History of Interior Design J. Gura and J. Pile, 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken, NJ, Print.