Introduction
Architecture often reflects the society and culture its people represent. They represent how people see themselves and how they perceive the world. The architecture of the Roman Empire significantly affected the style, technology, and symbolism of architecture since the beginning of the Middle Ages. The Romans gained recognition for their remarkable engineering skills and architectural prowess.
As the textbook notes, even though Roman building practices were derived from different sources, including Greek and Etruscan, their architectural forms were original in many aspects (Fazio et al. 107). They used different architectural techniques, ranging from Baroque to Gothic styles. This paper analyzes the impacts of Roman architecture on medieval architecture with regard to style, technology, and symbolism by considering five structures from several periods covered in this section, including the Early Christian, Romanesque, and Gothic periods.
Style
The style of the Romans is one of the most significant effects of Roman architecture on architectural advancements during the Middle Ages. The classical style is characterized by using symmetrical shapes, columns, and arches. The Romans perfected the use of the arch and the dome, which became a prominent feature in medieval architecture. Going through most of their architecture, one would notice that Roman architecture featured monumental and impressive buildings designed to express the power and authority of its Empire. This style, which brings out large and impressive buildings, was evident in many structures during the Early Christian period.
According to the textbook, even though Pagan associations often referred to Roman Temples unsuitable for Christian worship, “the connotations of the assembly hall and court of justice about the basilicas suited the new religion much better” (Fazio et al. 134). They accommodated more crowds, a factor that many Christians considered since religion during that time attracted an increasing number of Pagans seeking to convert. Additionally, the layout of buildings created a processional space that was incorporated as part of the worship services.
One example of such a building in the Early Christian period is the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Roman architecture significantly influenced Hagia Sophia in the Middle Ages, particularly the use of the dome. Even though one would term Hagia Sophia as a complicated and ambitious structure, like any other in the world, it had one thing that made it significantly unique: a massive dome on top of a rectangular building. The massive dome measures 102 feet in diameter and 180 feet in height.
The dome was not the only impressive feature of Hagia Sophia. The building also had an intricate system of arches, columns, and vaults that supported the weight of the dome. Another example is Salisbury Cathedral in England, which was built using pointed arches (Fazio et al. 231). In this structure, pointed arches hold onto its nave, choir, and transepts, enabling builders to create taller and more expansive interiors.
Technology
In addition to the style of Roman architecture, Its technological innovations also shaped medieval architecture. The Romans were renowned for their engineering expertise and their innovations in building technology (Fazio et al. 107).
One of the most significant advances that Roman architecture incorporated was the use of concrete. In the Middle Ages, builders adopted this technology to construct some of the remarkable structures of the period (Fazio et al., 135). The use of concrete allowed the builders of the Middle Ages to construct structures that were more durable and less susceptible to fire than those built using wood or other materials.
One instance is in the Romanesque period, where people built many churches with barrel vaults made of stone and concrete. Two perfect examples are Speyer Cathedral in Germany and Durham Cathedral in England (Fazio et al. 177). Speyer Cathedral was built in the 11th century and featured a vaulted nave, a transept, and a series of smaller chapels. The use of stone barrel vaults allowed for the creation of a more stable and fire-resistant structure, which was particularly important for churches. On the other hand, Durham Cathedral was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. The structure’s use of stone barrel vaults made it a stable and durable structure, which suited the damp climate of northern England.
Symbolism
The last impact that Roman architecture had on the development of architecture in the Middle Ages was symbolism. The Romans were famous for using symbolism in all their architecture, with most of them having political and religious significance. Such impact significantly influenced architecture in the Middle Ages, such as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, during the Gothic period.
Notre Dame Cathedral was built over two centuries, from the 12th and 13th centuries, and was marked as the most famous during this period. During this period, the structure underwent significant modification. This structure features a central nave, a transept, an apse, and a series of flying buttresses that allowed for the creation of taller and more expansive interior spaces (Fazio et al. 213). The cathedral’s decoration and iconography draw on Romanesque motifs, such as the use of arches and vaults, as well as imagery of saints and biblical scenes.
Conclusion
It would only be possible to emphasize how much Roman architecture influenced medieval architecture. Roman’s technical prowess and architectural innovations can be observed in medieval buildings’ design, technology, and symbolism. The Romans utilized concrete as a perfect technology in their architecture, classical styles, and a variety of symbols with political and religious significance. Generally, the influence of Roman architecture on medieval architecture was significant, and it continues to be felt in today’s architecture.
Work Cited
Fazio, Michael W. et al. Buildings Across Time: An Introduction to World Architecture. 6th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2023.