Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Ancients
Architecture was central to the success of the ancient Romans. In building their great capit-
al, they were among the first people to use architecture to tackle problems of infrastructure,
urban management and communication. For the first time, architects and engineers were
asked to design houses, roads, aqueducts and shopping centres alongside temples, tombs
and imperial palaces. To do this the Romans advanced methods devised by the Etruscans
and Greeks, developing construction techniques and building materials that allowed them
to build on a massive and hitherto unseen scale.
Rome's ancient ruins are revealing in many ways, but the one thing they lack is colour. Ancient Rome
would have been a vivid, brightly coloured place with buildings clad in coloured marble, gaudily painted
temples and multicoloured statues.
Etruscan Roots
By the 7th century BC the Etruscans were the dominant force on the Italian peninsula, with
important centres at Tarquinia, Caere (Cerveteri) and Veii (Veio). These city-states were
fortified with defensive walls and although little actually remains - the Etruscans generally
built with wood and brick, which don't age well - archaeologists have found evidence of
aqueducts, bridges and sewers, as well as sophisticated temples. In Rome, you can still see
foundations of an Etruscan temple on the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill).
But much of what we now know about the Etruscans derives from findings unearthed in
their elaborate tombs. Like many ancient peoples, the Etruscans placed great emphasis on
their dead and they built impressive cemeteries. These were constructed outside the city
walls and harboured richly decorated stone vaults covered by mounds of earth. The best ex-
amples of Etruscan tombs are to be found in Cerveteri and Tarquinia, north of Rome (
Click
here
).
Even experts are puzzled as to why the Pantheon's dome is still standing. Had it been made from modern
concrete it would have collapsed under its own weight long ago.
Roman Developments
When Rome was founded in 753 BC (if legend is to be believed), the Etruscans were at the
height of their power and Greeks colonists were establishing control over southern Italy. In
