Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #RomanSiteSaturday

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The Roman Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain.

Built to last almost 2,000 years ago.

Without the need for mortar! 🤯

📷 my own

#RomanSiteSaturday
#Archaeology Image
I took this photo from the other side. If you zoom in, you can see where the aqueduct turns a corner and changes from two arcades to one Image
It was constructed using large unmortared bricks of granite ashlar. Indent holes in the ashlar blocks show where ancient crane clamps lifted them into place. Grooves at the top of the blocks show where iron levers were used to manoeuvre them into position.

#Archaeology Image
Read 3 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Arch of Constantine 🏛️

(1/7) Situated in Rome between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, this imposing triumphal arch spans the Via Triumphalis, a road taken by victorious Roman generals celebrating a triumph.

#Classics #Rome #Archaeology #History
(2/7) Built between 312 - 315 CE, this monument commemorated Constantine's victory over his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. Commissioned by the senate, it was unveiled on 25th July 315 to much celebration and prayer.
(3/7) Stylistically, the arch is a clear example of the downfall of Classical Greek art forms in the Roman period, and a sign of the city's decline. Re-using reliefs of Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius alongside those of Constantine, it presented a mixed artistic message.
Read 8 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday The Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker 🏛️💀🍞

(1/7) The witty and entertaining tomb of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces is one of the best-preserved freedmen funerary monuments in #Rome and sits in a prominent position at the Porta Maggiore.

#Classics #Roman #Archaeology
(2/7) Built c. 30 - 20 BCE, this extravagant site reflects both Eurysaces' wealth and sense of humour. A freedman who must have made a fortune from a chain of bakeries supplying bread for public rations, he seems to have been immensely proud of his position and riches.
(3/7) Indeed, his tomb is an architectural pun. Made of tufa and white marble, it takes the form of bakery equipment. The three rows of medallions at the top are dough-kneading bins on their sides, and the lower 'columns' are upright dough-bins stacked on top of one another.
Read 8 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - Pyramid of Cestius 🏛️

(1/9) Located in #Rome, the Pyramid of Cestius is one of the best preserved classical buildings in the city. Moreover, as an imitation of an #Egyptian pyramid, it is also one of the most unique.

#Classics #Roman #Archaeology #History
(2/9) Built between 18 - 12 BCE, the pyramid was constructed as a tomb for Gaius Cestius. Cestius had served as a praetor, tribune of the plebs, and was a member of the Septemviri Epulorum, one of the four great religious corporations of the city.
(3/9) Stylistically, it appears to imitate the pointed pyramids of Nubia, particularly in the ancient Kingdom of Meroë. In 23 BCE, Rome attacked this kingdom, leading scholars to postulate that Cestius may have served in this campaign and been inspired by Nubian architecture.
Read 10 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - Fishbourne Roman Palace🏛️

(1/8) Located in Chichester, #England, Fishbourne Roman Palace (@romanpalace) is an incredible example of Roman residential architecture and is thus far the largest building known from #RomanBritain.

#Classics #Roman #History
(2/8) Fishbourne Palace has very early origins compared to the many sites of Roman Britain. Occupation of the site appears to have started in 43 CE, the year of the Roman invasion. Initially, Fishbourne acted as a supply depot for the Roman army.
(3/8) By the 60's CE, the site had developed into a stone-walled villa, which featured a colonnaded courtyard garden and bathhouse. Based on excavations, it appears Italian craftsmen were employed to decorate Fishbourne with wall paintings and stucco mouldings.
Read 9 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Temple of Augustus 🏛️

(1/6) The stunning Temple of Augustus is situated in the city of Pula in #Croatia, and stands as one of the best preserved Greco-Roman temples outside of Italy.

#Classics #ClassicsTwitter #Roman #History #Archaeology
(2/6) Built between 27 BCE - 14 CE, it was dedicated to the Emperor Augustus during his lifetime. Part of a collection of three temples, the Temple of Augustus sat to the left of two now destroyed temples, one of which was dedicated to the goddess Diana.
(3/6) The dedicatory inscription, originally in bronze lettering, read:

ROMAE · ET · AVGVSTO · CAESARI · DIVI · F · PATRI · PATRIAE

"In honour of Rome and Augustus Caesar, son of the deified [Julius], father of his country."
Read 7 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Theatre of Marcellus 🏛️🎭

(1/6) Known to the Romans as the Theatrum Marcelli, this stunning ancient open-air theatre sits in the heart of Rome and once had a capacity of up to 20,000 spectators!

#Classics #Rome #Archaeology #Roman #History
(2/6) Construction began in the closing years of the Roman Republic. Julius Caesar ordered space to be cleared for it, but was murdered before its completion. By 17 BCE, construction was advanced enough that it could host the secular games, and by 13 BCE it was finished.
(3/6) The theatre was dedicated to Marcus Claudius Marcellus, the nephew and presumptive heir of the emperor Augustus. Marcellus died in 23 BCE aged 19, leaving the emperor devastated and almost shattering the illusion of a restored republic.
Read 8 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Pantheon🏛️

(1/8) Located in #Rome, Italy, the Pantheon is arguably the best surviving example of Imperial #Roman architecture. Richly decorated with Corinthian columns and a variety of coloured marble, it is truly a remarkable site.

#History #Classics
(2/8) Originally constructed during the reign of the emperor Augustus under the patronage of Marcus Agrippa, the current temple is actually a reconstruction undertaken by Trajan and Hadrian following an earthquake. Finished in 126CE, the original inscription was retained:
(3/8) "M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT"

"M[arcus] Agrippa L[ucii] f[ilius] co[n]s[ul] tertium fecit"

"Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made [this building] when consul for the third time."
Read 10 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - Maison Carrée 🏛️

(1/7) Situated in the French city of #Nîmes, the Maison Carrée ("Square House") is an amazing example of #Roman imperial architecture and among the best preserved temples from antiquity.

#Classics #Archaeology #France #History
(2/7) Constructed during the late 1st century BCE, the temple was completed c. 2 CE. Its original function is unknown, however between 4 - 7 CE it was dedicated to Gaius Caesar and Lucius Caesar, the grandsons of the Roman Emperor Augustus who had both died young.
(3/7) Architecturally, it serves as a textbook example of Roman temple building described by the architect Vitruvius. Built in the Tuscan style, it features a single cult room (cella) and a deep porch. Raised c. 3m above ground on a podium, it dominated the ancient city's forum.
Read 9 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Temple of Bacchus🏛️🍷

(1/6) Located in Baalbek, #Lebanon, the Temple of #Bacchus is an amazing example of Imperial Roman architecture, adorned with Corinthian columns and lavishly decorated ceilings and parapets.

#Classics #Roman #Archaeology #History
(2/6) Likely constructed under emperor Antoninus Pius (138 - 161CE), the temple is a massive 66m long, 35m wide and 31m tall, which is larger than the Parthenon in Athens! 8 columns wide and 15 columns deep, it features a walled cult room split between two floors and a crypt.
(3/6) Despite its namesake, it is unknown as to which deity it was dedicated. Archaeological evidence from the site however suggests #Bacchus, as the interior design depicts a god of wine and ecstasy and other Bacchic symbolism like Maenads and revellers.
Read 8 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Temple of Garni 🏛️

(1/7) The Temple Garni is situated in the village of Garni in #Armenia, and stands as the only Greco-Roman temple in the nation. It sits on a cliff edge by the Azat River and the Gegham mountains.

#Classics #Archaeology #History
(2/7) Constructed in the 1st century CE, it was most likely built under the Armenian king Tiridates I as a temple of Mihr, the Armenian sun god. Supported and crowned as king by the Roman Emperor Nero, it is thought Tiridates adopted Mihr as his patron deity and protector.
(3/7) Stylistically, the temple is a blend of Ancient Greek architecture and local Armenian influences. Decorated with Ionic columns, it is constructed with local grey basalt and without mortar, instead being held together with iron clamps. It also features floral friezes.
Read 9 tweets
#RomanSiteSaturday - The Mausoleum of Hadrian 🏛️💀🏰

(1/7) Hadrian's Mausoleum, more commonly known today as Castel Sant'Angelo, is a stunning cylindrical building on the northern bank of the River Tiber in Rome, Italy.

#Classics #Archaeology #Hadrian #Rome #History
(2/7) The construction of this towering mausoleum began in the 120's CE, and it was not quite complete when Hadrian died aged 63 in 138. It was finished the following year by Antoninus Pius, and saw most of the Antonine and Severan imperial families deposited there.
(3/7) Stylistically, Hadrian's Mausoleum was a potent symbol of imperial power. Separated from much of the city across the Tiber, it was encased in white Italian luna marble, with an elaborate cornice and decorated friezes. It was topped with a garden and a golden quadriga.
Read 8 tweets

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