1. Introduction to Roman Architecture

Roman Architecture (HSAR 252)

Professor Kleiner introduces the wide variety of Roman buildings covered in the course and links them with the theme of Roman urbanism. The lecture ranges from early Roman stone construction to such masterpieces of Roman concrete architecture as the Colosseum and Pantheon. Traveling from Rome and Pompeii across the vast Roman Empire, Professor Kleiner stops in such locales as North Africa and Jordan to explore the plans of cities and their individual edifices: temples, basilicas, theaters, amphitheaters, bath complexes, and tombs. The lecture culminates with reference to the impact of Roman architecture on post-antique architectural design and building practice.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction: Roman Urbanism
09:47 - Chapter 2. The Urban Grid and Public Architecture
24:41 - Chapter 3. Bathing, Entertainment, and Housing in the Roman City
37:06 - Chapter 4. Roman Tombs, Aqueducts, and the Lasting Impact of Roman Architecture

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2009.