Prehistoric Rome

Rome was the greatest power west of China. Their art and design was inspired by Greece. They served as a catalyst in spreading art and civilization, also controlled commerce in the western Mediterranean Sea. In the Roman culture structures and social values played a big role. Entertainment such as sporting events, circus, concerts and plays were evolving at this time. Religious figurers where worshiped with tombs and temples

The invention of Roman design is that it brilliantly operated within the stylistic parameter initially set by Greece, yet took it in new directions. They mastered road building, which led to more new inventions. Where Greek was influenced there was and architecture of column and post and lintel construction in their building designs. The columns were more decorative and structural than the past columns. They added extravagant decoration in their furniture pieces. They had a new material to accompany their explorations of form: concrete. Although the buildings often look as though they are built from stone, they were largely architecture of brick and concrete, faced with stone. Roman architectures saw the major possibilities of arch and concrete, vaulting, dome and use of the arch development.

Roman furniture inherited Greek forms and the general inventory is the same: tables, beds, chairs, and stools. But as a general rule, Roman furniture had to be more elaborate than the Greek furniture.  The piece of furniture that is most associated with Rome is the couch. During this time a couch was used as a bed and settee or couch, it is a horizontal surface for sitting or reclining, with arms at one or both ends. It was used at night for sleeping. A variety of small tables served those who were on the reclining couches. These include small metal tripod table, similar to Greek tables. Some tripods were folding that when opened supported a top, of wood or marble, that was used for food or drinks.

One of the major inventions in Rome was the coliseum; which held gladiator fights and other cultural events. It sat at least 50,000 people, made of concrete, stone and the use of arch and barrel vault. Each level has a podium, column and an entablature. We still use the coliseum concept today and they still hold the same entertainment events.  

Images Past: 

Images Present: