English
Andrea Palladio paid tribute to Vitruvius, in his Four Books of Architecture (1570) saying that the Romans had not exceeded his buildings and even four and a half centuries later. There are still likely to authors willing to say the same thing. In any case, our intention is not to perpetuate the absurdity of trying to rank creation, but it seems certain that Rome has more than enough credentials to be named city par excellence for lovers of architecture, as shown convincingly in such films as The Belly of an Architect (Peter Greenaway, 1987).
For better or for worse, Westerners continue to manifest an unconquerable longing for Rome which is reflected very uniquely, in the spaces created by architecture. On the other hand, it is not difficult to agree with Gombrich that the ruins of its buildings are impossible to forget, or to use the famous words of Poe, “the grandeur that was Rome.”
It´s true that modern cities show the continuing influence of structures of Roman civil engineering and forms that characterized Greek architecture.
Despite the accusation of lack of originality regarding the Greek world, Roman architecture is responsible, for the invention of a novel element, the arc, which would become absolutely essential since then, allowing construction feats never before imagined.
It is therefore not surprising that among the Roman architectural creations that have caused a more lasting impression are the triumphal arches, whose composition plays a role not unlike that of the musical chords.
Perhaps that was precisely the reason these triumphal arches were repeatedly used as a model during the Renaissance for the design of facades of churches and cathedrals.
Unsurprisingly, that the best examples of triumphal arches in Rome are preserved, particularly in the area between the Forum and Coliseum. You can see the Arch of Titus (year 81), Septimius Severus (203) and Constantine (315). They were built to celebrate victories in major Roman battles. Technically, a battle was considered a victory when the Roman army killed more than 5000 soldiers. Besides their architectural value, the arches were also decorated with reliefs depicting key events in quasi-cinematic propaganda campaign. In this sense, they are like documentary newsreels of the era that continue to impress us.
Paul Oilzum
If you are staying in apartments in Rome make sure to check out these impressive and chilling monuments to cultural imperialism and military victory.
Translated by: salome antigone
