The landmarks of ancient Rome then and now.
Ancient Roman architecture was rife with remarkable achievements that combined new technologies, materials and styles with the legacy of classical Greek architecture. The Romans experimented with concrete, arches and vaults to create monumental buildings that were both functional and impressive. They also used marble, travertine and tufa to imitate or enhance the appearance of their structures. Ancient Roman architecture has influenced many styles and buildings in later periods, and is still admired in our day for its beauty and innovation.
Below are some of ancient Rome’s most famous architectural achievements shown in their prime, as compared to what remains of them today.
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus was a huge arena for chariot racing and other spectacles such as religious festivals, triumphal processions, gladiator fights, beast hunts, and public executions. It was situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, and it could hold over 150,000 spectators. It was the first and largest stadium in Rome and its empire, and it became a model for other circuses throughout the Roman world. Today, the stadium no longer stands and is replaced by a public park.
Colosseum
Built by the Flavian emperors between 70 and 80 C.E. as a gift to the Roman people, the Colosseum is undoubtedly the most famous ancient landmark of Rome. It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, and it could hold up to 80,000 spectators. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, executions, and other public spectacles. Still standing strong after 2000 years, it is a symbol of Imperial Rome and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Forum Romanum
The Forum Romanum was the main public square of ancient Rome, where many important political, religious, and social activities took place. It was surrounded by various temples, monuments, and government buildings that reflected the history and culture of the Roman civilization. The Forum Romanum was not only a center of political and religious life, but also a place where people could socialize, shop, and entertain themselves. It was a lively and bustling area that attracted visitors from all over the empire and beyond.
Stadium of Domitian (Piazza Navona)
The Stadium of Domitian, located under Piazza Navona in Rome, was an ancient athletic stadium built by Emperor Domitian in AD 80 as a gift to the people of Rome. It was the first and only permanent venue for competitive sports in Rome, and it could host up to 30,000 spectators. After the Colosseum experienced fire damage in AD 217, the gladiator battles were relocated to this location. As the influence of the Roman Empire waned, the stadium served as housing for the poor and was eventually dismantled for building materials. Today, visitors can see the ruins of the stadium and its sculptures in an underground archaeological area.
Temple of Saturn
The Temple of Saturn was an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the god of wealth and agriculture. It was located at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, in the western end of the Roman Forum. The temple, which was rebuilt several times, also served as the treasury of the Roman Republic, where the reserves of gold and silver were stored. The temple’s ruins consist of eight columns and a pediment with an inscription that commemorates its restoration in the late 4th century AD. The Temple of Saturn was one of the oldest and most important temples in ancient Rome.
Temple of Venus and Roma
The Temple of Venus and Roma was a huge temple in Ancient Rome, built by the emperor Hadrian on the Velian Hill. It was dedicated to two goddesses: Venus, the bringer of good fortune, and Roma, the personification of the eternal city. The temple was finished in 141 CE and was damaged by fire in 307 CE. It was restored by another emperor, Maxentius, who made some changes to the original design. The temple was later demolished (possibly after an earthquake) and replaced by a church in the 9th century.
Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant’Angelo)
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, also known as Castel Sant’Angelo, is a cylindrical building in Rome, Italy, that was built by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD as a tomb for himself and his family. It later became a fortress and a papal residence, and is now a museum. The name Castel Sant’Angelo comes from a legend that an angel appeared on top of the building to end a plague in the 6th century AD.
Theater of Marcellus, Temple of Bellona and Temple of Apollo Sosianus
Constructed in 13 BC, the Theatre of Marcellus was established as a venue for public spectacles and entertainment. Some portions of the structure have endured to this day. Regrettably, the Temple of Bellona and the Temple of Apollo Sosianus did not fare as well, with only three columns surviving from the latter.
The Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano
The Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano is a church in Rome that incorporates ancient Roman buildings, such as the Temple of Romulus and the Library of the Forum of Peace. It was commissioned by Emperor Maxentius to his son and co-consul Valerius Romulus, who died in 309. It was Christianized by Pope Felix IV in the 6th century and dedicated to two Syrian brothers who were martyred for their faith and profession as doctors. The basilica has remarkable mosaics from the 6th-7th centuries and a 18th century Neapolitan nativity scene. The structure largely remains intact to this day and is a popular tourist attraction.
Temple of Castor and Pollux and Temple of Caesar
The Temple of Castor and Pollux was built to honor the twin sons of Zeus, who were thought to help the Romans in the victorious Battle of Lake Regillus in 495 BC. Today, only a handful of columns and a few scattered fragments remain of the structure, which also served as a meeting place for the Roman Senate. The Temple of Caesar was built by Augustus to commemorate his adoptive father, Julius Caesar, who was deified by the senate after his assassination in 44 BC (his body was cremated on a pyre near the temple site). It stayed largely intact until the late 15th century, when its marble and stones were repurposed in the construction of new churches and palaces. Today, only fragments of the cement core of the platform remain.
Forum Romanum from the Tabularium
In its prime, the Tabularium served as the administrative hub for numerous city officials. Astonishingly, despite the fact that it was constructed two millennia ago, a significant portion of its grand corridor survives to this day.
Pompeii
Finally, here’s one from outside the city of Rome, but definitely from within the Roman empire. Pompeii was an ancient city in Italy that was buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. The city was preserved by the ash and pumice, and it offers a glimpse of Roman life at that time. Pompeii was a wealthy and populous city, with many public buildings, private houses, and artworks. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11