History of Roman Structures
                     R O M A N  
S T R U C T U R E S
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Some say the city of Rome was founded on the 
Palatine Hill by Romulus, son of Mars, the god of 
war. Others say that Aeneas and some of his 
followers escaped the fall of Troy and established 
the town. 
Regardless of which of the many myths one 
prefers, no one can doubt the impact of ancient 
Rome on western civilization. 
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C . O R G 2
F O U N D E D  I N  7 5 3 B C
Rome was founded in 753BC by its first king, 
Romulus. It grew into a rich and powerful city 
during the next few hundred years.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C . O R G 3
A M A Z I N G  A R C H I T E C T S
The Romans didn’t spend all their time fighting – 
they were amazing architects and engineers too.
They built roads and walls – things we now take 
for granted.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 4
I N C L U S I O N  O F  I TA LY
By AD 117 the Roman Empire included the whole 
of Italy, all the lands around the Mediterranean 
and much of Europe, including England, Wales 
and parts of Scotland.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 5
C O L O S S E U M
One of the most famous buildings left by the 
Ancient Romans is the Colosseum a huge 
ampitheatre in the centre of Rome. 
This is where members of the public would come 
to watch sporting events and games, including 
battles between Roman gladiators.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 6
C O R I N T H I A N  R O M A N  
A R C H I T E C T U R E
The word "Corinthian" describes an ornate 
column style developed in ancient Greece and 
classified as one of the Classical Orders of 
Architecture. The Corinthian style is more 
complex and elaborate than the earlier Doric and 
Ionic Orders. 
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 7
D O R I C  R O M A N  
A R C H I T E C T U R E
The Doric Order was the first style of Classical 
Architecture, which is the sophisticated 
architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome 
that set the standards for beauty, harmony, and 
strength for European architecture. 
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 8
I O N I C  R O M A N  
A R C H I T E C T U R E
The Ionic capital is characterized by the use of 
volutes. The Ionic columns normally stand on a 
base which separates the shaft of the column 
from the stylobate or platform while the cap is 
usually enriched with egg-and-dart.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 9
A R C H  O F  S E P T I M I U S  
S E V E R U S
This monumental arch was constructed in 203 AD 
in recognition of the unprecedented Roman 
victories over the Parthians in the dying years of 
the second century. 
S O U R C E :  W W W . A R C H I T E C T U R E A N D D E S I G N . C O M . A U 10
T E M P L E S  O F  B A A L B E K
A major attraction and a remarkable 
archaeological site in present-day Lebanon, 
Baalbek is considered as one of the most 
spectacular wonders of the ancient world. 
S O U R C E :  W W W . A R C H I T E C T U R E A N D D E S I G N . C O M . A U 11