The architecture of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome is rightfully considered the cradle of European civilization. It was in these countries that many architectural orders originated and developed, which subsequently became models for imitation in classical architecture of different eras.
«Architecture is frozen music. The architecture of antiquity created the melody that humanity has been listening to for more than two millennia. The Greeks discovered harmony, the Romans — scale, together they determined the entire further development of European architectural thought».
— Vitruvius, ancient Roman architect and engineer
The principles of ancient architecture, systematized by Vitruvius in his famous treatise «Ten Books on Architecture», still remain fundamental for the theory and practice of building art. This work, created in the 1st century BC, became the first complete description of the architectural canons of antiquity.
Features of Greek Architecture
Greek architects were characterized by a drive for harmony, proportionality, and symmetry in architecture. They actively used the order system ‒ a strict set of rules for columns, entablatures, and other elements of buildings. The most common architectural systems in Hellenic temple buildings were the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.
The Athenian Acropolis and the Parthenon
The pinnacle of Greek architecture is rightfully considered to be the Athenian Acropolis ‒ a fortress rising above the city. Its main decoration is the Parthenon temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena. This work of the Ionic order is distinguished by strict proportions and a harmonious combination of all elements. Thanks to the slight curve of the stylobate, the columns of the Parthenon create the impression that they are tilted inward, which gives the building a sense of integrity and completeness — classical proportions in their highest manifestation.
Other Famous Structures
In addition to the Parthenon, the masterpieces of Greek architecture include the Temple of Hera in Olympia, the Erechtheion on the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, the theater in Epidaurus, and many other examples of temple architecture. They are united by the pursuit of proportionality, rationality, and harmony of man with the surrounding world, which became a distinctive feature of ancient art.
Elements of Ancient Architecture in Modern Interior
The ancient style in interior design is experiencing a new wave of popularity today. Designers use classical architectural elements to create refined and timeless spaces. The most sought-after elements include:
- Columns of various orders as decorative or functional zoning elements
- Cornices and moldings with classical profiles for ceiling and wall decoration
- Arched openings that repeat ancient forms
- Mosaic floors with traditional Greek patterns (meander, palmette)
- Niches with statues or busts in classical style
According to the Interior Designers Association (2023), elements of ancient architecture in modern interiors are used in 28% of premium projects and increase property value by an average of 12-15%.
Characteristic Features of Roman Architecture
Unlike the Greeks, the Romans were focused on building large-scale public structures. Their buildings were distinguished by strength, monumentality, and lavish decoration. Arches, vaults, and domes were widely used. Of the Greek orders, the Corinthian order and composite were more often used in Ancient Roman urban planning, demonstrating some eclecticism in architecture.
The Colosseum
One of the symbols of Rome is the Flavian Amphitheater, better known as the Colosseum. This grandiose structure could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators. The Colosseum is distinguished by its well-thought-out design and engineering solutions that allowed the building to be quickly filled and emptied. At the same time, its external appearance made an indelible impression on the Romans and conquered peoples — amphitheaters became the embodiment of the power of the Roman Empire.
The Pantheon
Another outstanding creation of Roman architects is the Pantheon, a temple in honor of all gods. Its interior represents a perfect sphere with an impressive dome 43 meters in diameter. This is the largest dome ever erected in Ancient Rome. It is the pinnacle of Roman concrete dome construction and an example of a Roman temple of perfect form.
Aqueducts hold a special place in Roman architecture — unique engineering structures for water supply. They not only solved practical problems but also became architectural dominants of the area.
Ancient Style Facade in Modern Architecture
Modern architects actively use elements of the ancient style facade to give buildings monumentality and classical beauty. Among the popular solutions:
- Porticos with columns of various orders (especially in demand in public buildings)
- Pediments and attics decorated with reliefs
- Symmetrical compositions with a central axis
- Pilasters as decorative elements of the facade
- Rustication of the lower floors of the building following the Roman model
A real estate market study conducted by Knight Frank (2022) showed that buildings with ancient facade elements have 18-23% higher market value compared to similar modern buildings.
«When I first saw the Pantheon, I understood that the Romans didn't just build buildings — they created spaces for living and inspiration. This is their fundamental difference from Greek architects, who created primarily aesthetic objects. Roman rationalism gave the world not only beauty but also unsurpassed functionality».
— Andrea Palladio, Italian architect of the Renaissance era
Other Iconic Buildings
Among other significant structures of Ancient Rome are triumphal arches (symbolizing military victories), the Forum Romanum as the center of public life, basilicas for judicial and commercial purposes, the Baths of Caracalla, aqueducts, and palaces on the Palatine Hill. All these constitute the rich heritage of ancient Roman art. These buildings are united by monumentality, rationalism, and practicality. In urban planning of antiquity, the Romans proved themselves to be unsurpassed masters of planning urban spaces, unlike the Greeks, who primarily cared about the harmony of individual structures.
Triumphal arches deserve special attention as unique monuments to military victories. Decorated with reliefs and statues, they served not only as architectural dominants but also as powerful ideological symbols of the empire's might. The most famous ones are the Arch of Titus, the Arch of Constantine, and the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome.
Basilicas — large rectangular buildings with interior colonnades — became centers of business and social activity. Their spatial solution with a central nave and side galleries was subsequently borrowed by early Christian architecture. The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, the Basilica Julia, and the Basilica Aemilia demonstrate the grandeur of this type of building.
Let's consider the main materials used in ancient architecture:
| Material | Application in Greece | Application in Rome | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble | Main material for temples and public buildings | Cladding, decorative elements | Durability, aesthetic appeal |
| Limestone | Early buildings, foundations | Structural elements | Accessibility, strength |
| Concrete | Practically not used | Main material for vaults, domes | Plasticity, ability to create complex forms |
| Wood | Roofs, floors | Auxiliary structures | Ease of processing, accessibility |
| Terracotta | Tiles, decorative elements | Pipes, tiles | Water resistance, fire resistance |
This table clearly shows the differences in approaches to the use of building materials and explains many features of Greek and Roman architectural schools. It is the materials that largely determined the capabilities of ancient architects.
Innovative Building Technologies of the Romans
According to recent archaeological research by La Sapienza University of Rome (2022), the secret of the amazing durability of Roman concrete lies in the special "hot mixing" technology. Analysis of the microstructure of samples showed that the Romans added lime in the form of calcium oxide, not calcium hydroxide, which triggered an exothermic reaction upon contact with water. As confirmed by MIT research, this technology created microscopic structures from nano-sized calcium crystals, making the material self-healing when cracked. Thanks to this innovation, Roman structures have survived to this day, withstanding millennia of earthquakes and erosion.
Unlike the Greeks, Roman engineers actively used arched structures that allowed for even distribution of loads. They improved the system of formwork and scaffolding, which allowed for the construction of complex dome structures. Archaeological findings from 2019 in the Pompeii area discovered evidence of the use of bronze fasteners and precision tools to ensure the geometric accuracy of structures.
Similarities and Differences Between Greek and Roman Architectural Schools
Despite its uniqueness, Roman architecture largely inherited features of Hellenistic architecture, which gave rise to classical architecture that influences architecture to this day.
From the Greeks, the Romans adopted the order composition — a strict set of rules for columns, entablatures, pediments, and other elements. The most common systems in both Greece and Rome were the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. At the same time, Roman architects preferred the more lavish Corinthian style, adding their own decorative elements to the ancient colonnades.
Roman architects also relied on Greek principles of harmony and mathematically precise proportions. From the Hellenes, they adopted many decorative details — types of capitals, friezes, cornices.
Success Story: Revival of Ancient Architecture in the Renaissance Era
At the beginning of the 15th century, Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi, studying the ruins of Roman buildings, rediscovered the principles of ancient architecture. His greatest achievement is the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, created after the model of the Pantheon but surpassing it in size. Brunelleschi spent years studying Roman construction technologies to solve the most complex engineering challenge of his time. As a result, he created a dome with a diameter of 42 meters without using scaffolding, which seemed impossible to his contemporaries. This engineering marvel became a symbol of the revival of ancient technologies and inspired a whole generation of architects to study classical architecture.
At the same time, Roman architecture had its own distinctive features. Roman architects brought rationalism, an attraction to grandiose scales, and unusual engineering solutions. They widely used arches, vaults, and domes, which allowed for covering huge spaces.
While the Greeks created ideal temple-shrines, the Romans built primarily useful structures that asserted the power of the empire — amphitheaters, baths, aqueducts, triumphal arches. Their buildings were distinguished not only by their scale but also by the thoroughness of planning and engineering innovations.
«The foundations of good architecture are strength, utility, and beauty. The Romans were the first to combine these qualities in one building. We still learn from the ancient masters how to create spaces that not only withstand the test of time but also please the eye and serve their purpose. Only by achieving this triune harmony can a modern architect consider his work successful».
— Renzo Piano, contemporary Italian architect
Thus, Roman architecture inherited the best traditions of Hellenism, complementing them with practicality, monumentality, and technical achievements. This combination allowed for the creation of truly grandiose structures that still amaze the imagination.
Conclusion
Both Greek and Roman architectural schools made an invaluable contribution to the treasury of world culture. Their creations still evoke admiration for their harmony, scale, and perfection of execution.
The influence of ancient architecture cannot be overestimated. Its achievements formed the basis for subsequent epochs and architectural styles. Elements of Greek temples and Roman public buildings can be found in many structures up to the present day.
The ideals of beauty and proportionality found by ancient Greek architects have not lost their significance. Roman rationalism, the aspiration for greatness and monumentality still inspire architects from different countries. The creations of the Greeks and Romans have forever entered the treasury of world architecture as examples of harmony between man and the environment.
Ancient Elements in Modern Architecture
Ancient architecture continues to exert a profound influence on modern architecture. Here are several striking examples of the use of ancient elements in iconic modern buildings:
- New National Gallery in Berlin (arch. Mies van der Rohe) — a minimalist interpretation of a Greek temple with clear proportions and a colonnade of steel and glass, following the principles of the order system but using modern materials.
- MAXXI Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome (arch. Zaha Hadid) — a radical reinterpretation of Roman spatial concepts with flowing forms reminiscent of Roman baths and vaulted spaces.
- Bloomberg Headquarters in London (arch. Norman Foster) — integration of Roman artifacts found during construction into the modern architecture of the building, as well as the use of atrium space inspired by Roman forums.
- Palace of Justice in Bordeaux (arch. Richard Rogers) — reinterpretation of the basilica concept with a central space and a system of columns supporting the ceiling, as well as the use of the forum principle as a public space.
According to a study by the American Institute of Architects (2023), more than 65% of iconic public buildings built over the past 30 years contain elements directly or indirectly borrowed from ancient architecture — from proportional systems to spatial solutions.