The book continues the studies collected in the previous publication curated by the distinguished German archaeologists Paul Zanker and Henner von Hesberg about the great monuments of Roman architecture. Development, history and transformation of ancient Roman cities in Italy.
The book continues the studies collected in the previous publication curated by the distinguished German archaeologists Paul Zanker and Henner von Hesberg about the great monuments of Roman architecture. The new title documents the development, history and transformation of ancient Roman cities in Italy. The city of Rome and the colonies founded by Rome are in a category of their own.
From the 7th century BC onwards, a long process had led to the growth of Rome, which then became capital of an Empire that extended the length and breadth of the Mediterranean. The remains of archaic buildings lay next to planned roads with houses several storeys high, ancient temples which had been restored several times found themselves next to Hellenistic temple complexes and magnificent Imperial fora. On the other hand, the cities Rome founded looked completely different from the original. Often they lay beside or on important roads which led directly to the main temple, the Capitolium, and the forum. The street-plans for every city were based on an orthogonal grid system. From the late 1st century BC, these cities developed beyond the original layout in order to provide sufficient space for splendid buildings like theatres, amphitheatres, new residential areas and, last but not least, public baths.