The Romans were at the forefront of the modern architecture, they were the ones that made it possible for us to have Skyscrapers in the modern world today. So then what made this happen? OK then when Caesar died the Roman Empire was able to build bridges, roads and aqueducts, the most famous aqueduct still standing today being the Pont Du Gardnimes. These aqueducts were capable of carrying vast amounts of water from one side of a valley to the other.
In the cities most of the citizens would have lived in blocks of flats just like a lot of people do now, but these flats were not very well made, they often collapsed and a lot of the time was on fire. The Romans also brought out the very first sewers, these ran underneath the streets, just like today but only the rich could afford them. The Romans also were great at blocking their attackers as between England and Scotland lies the Hadrian's Wall, built in the Roman times it was 73 miles across.
The Great Coliseum
The great coliseum of Rome was the biggest one built in the whole of the Roman Empire; it had eighty 160ft high entrances. It was able to hold up to around 50,000 spectators who would watch events like gladiator nights, mock naval battles where the floor came off and underneath was filled with water and animal hunts. During staged fights there was reported to be something like 10,000 people killed from fights, slaves, prisoners, volunteers and the spectators also witnessed Christians being killed. After 404 AD gladiator fights were no longer held but lions, elephants, snakes, panthers were continued to be killed in the name of sport up until the 6th century.
New Building Ways
The Romans invented concrete which was poured into wooden frames and moulds so then arches could be built and then also creates huge great buildings, like the coliseum. They would also use this concrete to build ports as well. The Romans built thousands of miles of roads and all of them connected the Roman Empire together. They also invented the way of knowing how far to the next city as by building small milestones at the side of the road, you will be able to tell if it's a Roman road if it is dead straight as they never did a bend (only applies to Europe). They would also build Aqueducts to bring the freshest water from springs to the cities, most aqueducts were built on top of the ground in channels but some were built underground with the use of lead pipes, the lead was mined from Spain, the most amazing thing was that the aqueduct never needed any pumps to work. Another accomplishment was them being able to build massive walls, they were built around the cities, both inner and outer walls were built so then the attackers could not fire into the town and they couldn't tunnel under as they had a strong foundation, the only way they could enter was through the gatehouse which was always guarded.
The Town
Romans built their towns to protect army bases or in the middle of lands which they had conquered or taking over an existing settlement. Archaeologists excavated roman towns in Britain such as Silchester. Towns like Silchester provided services for townspeople and surrounding tribesmen. Roman built roads into countryside to serve the villas and farms, farmers took produce by road to town where they bought goods to survive on the farms.
