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The growing prosperity of the authorities made Roman architecture impressive and luxurious, but it lacked humanity. The Roman Empire was a despotic state, and its power was based on the severe exploitation of the conquered nations. Roman architecture was one of the main instruments for glorifying and strengthening state power. The planning and shapes were to suppress an individual, to direct his movement.
Thus, the importance of the Roman buildings is defined by a range of factors, such as political, cultural, ideological, and social.
Augustus
During the reign of Augustus, the building activity intensified extremely, showing quick evolution of the shapes and the materials used. Among several architecture achievements, it is necessary to single out the construction of the Forum Augustum and the evolution of the citizens’ dwellings. The poor began to live in multistory houses instead of the simple round huts; the palaces of the rich citizens became much more pompous and luxurious (Stamper 137). This evolution had a strong impact on the social life of the Empire, as the increase of the living standard furthers strengthening of the society’s spirit. Having felt the smell of luxury, the Roman strengthened their lust for power, wealth, and conquests.
However, the Forum Augustum contributed more to the social evolution within the Roman Empire, as it functioned as an embodiment of the social mechanisms’ institutional organization (the center of the political life, the place for legal proceedings and education) (Forum of Augustus). The Temple of Mars Ultor reflected the martial character of the Roman spirit and of God.
At the same time, the Forum impacted strongly on the power of religion within the Empire. The numerous architecture and art elements amazed and restrained the citizens.
Tiberius
In the period of Tiberius’ reign, the building activity went down. However, Tiberius’ Bridge can be considered an outstanding construction. Not only did the bridge survive until the present, but it still remains exploited (Laurence 45). The Tiberius’ Bridge shows the facilities of Roman architecture.
Caligula
Among the most important buildings of Caligula’s period are the military constructions, which were created during Caligula’s military campaigns, and the personal Caligula’s buildings. The most amazing construction was the Caligula’s Giant Ship, which was a floating palace full of pompous artworks and complicated enginery. The dimension of this ship seems impossible in ancient times (Selkirk 166). Some mechanisms, such as revolving platforms, “passed ahead” of the technical progress for several centuries, which makes Caligula’s Giant Ship an outstanding architecture specimen.
Claudius
The most advanced construction of the Claudius period was the Aqua Claudia. Water supply is of huge importance for every community, as history shows that the evolution of the civilization has been influenced much by the availability and location of water resources.
Although the first Roman aqueducts were constructed in the IVth Century B.C., the Aqua Claudia became a symbol of the Roman Empire’s glory and its engineering achievements. Owing to its complicated construction, the Aqua Claudia was 30 meters shorter than the previous aqueduct (Evans 116).
Nero
The architecture element which embodies Nero’s spirit the most precisely is the Domus Aurea. Nero was an emperor who contributed much to building the spirit of his nation, using a wide range of both “stick and carrot” methods. He took measures to increase the citizens’ standard of living; being fond of arts, he participated in cultural events (Ferrero 109). At the same time, he defended the Roman tradition and religion, struggling against the beginnings of Christianity (Ferrero 107).
The construction of Nero’s Golden House started in 64, after a huge destructive fire. He started the construction of a pompous palace, which maintained the spirit of the aggrieved nation and showed the strength of the Roman power. For that period, the palace was an architectural masterpiece full of extravagances. Some elements used in the House’s construction influenced Roman architecture and were repeated in numerous buildings. A huge statue of Nero became an embodiment of his glory (Claridge 291).
Thus, architecture had huge importance for the political, social, and religious life of the Roman Empire, reflecting its development. The Roman constructions help to study Roman history in detail and evaluate the level of Roman architecture and engineering.
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