Architecture

The video I watched was “Imperial Rome, Ostia, and Portus: Ancient Architecture and Technology.” This video discussed how the Romans used local quarried materials to create architecture that served specific functions throughout the empire. I switched from wood to stone to preserve bridges and buildings. They had a system of aqueducts that was specifically constructed to function with the large arches used to carry the water that supplied the empire during the imperial period. This reminded me of how the reading talked about how the environment in which a piece of architecture is to be erected dictates and influences the materials that an artist will use.

            It was quite intriguing to see how these structures that we see so much beauty and art in when we visit these places were really created with great purpose to serve specific functions. In this week’s readings, the text book talked about the importance of knowing the background of artists and their culture to better understand their works. This is exactly what I felt this video did, and was also the reason I chose it. I was interested in learning of how everything the constructed was related to their surroundings and how their environment was taken into consideration when they constructed these structures. With this knowledge, I was able to view the empire in a completely different light.