Introduction

Have you ever sat in the stands of a stadium to view a sporting event or a concert?  Have you ever thrown a quarter in the fountain at the park or the mall?  Did you ever wonder how columns and arches are able to support colossal places of worship?  Believe it or not, the Ancient Romans have affected your daily life more than you may know.  In this WebQuest, you will become an expert on ancient Roman architecture.  As a group, you will research and report your findings of one of the five Roman architectural structures described below.  Let's get started!

The Coliseum

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the greatest amphitheatre in the known world, the Coliseum, was constructed in Rome, Italy.  The Coliseum still stands strong today, reminding the modern world of  its amazing  architectural feats and the ingenuity needed to assemble it.  The Roman Emperor Vespasian began the building of an amphitheatre, so large in magnitude, that it would take nearly ten years before it was completed.

The Pantheon

Although no one knows its exact age, many historians believe the Pantheon was built by the emperor Hadrian to honor the seven deities (gods and goddesses) of ancient Rome.  Up until 1436 AD, it was the largest dome in the world, with a large oculus in the center as its only light source.  With a dome approximately over 100 ft. in diameter, the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church and still stands as the largest domed edifice in Rome.

Trevi Fountain

A legend in Rome states that if visitors throw a coin in the Trevi fountain that they will be back in the city before they know it!  Some visitors look at Trevi fountain as a sculpture.  Others look at it as an extravagant display of art.  This magnificent fountain has undergone a plethora of changes throughout time.  It was the idea of Pope Urban VIII to move it to its current location and use materials from the Pantheon in its restorations.

Baths of Caracalla

The second largest complex for public bathing in Rome, the Baths of Caracalla, were named after the nickname of  emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.  Intricate Aqueducts kept the water flowing into the baths, while  huge wood-fueled furnaces were used to keep the water at  ideal temperatures for bathing.

St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Julius II teamed with architect Donato Bramante to plan the erecting of a rather simple central dome.  Although both men died before the plans could ever be implemented, this opened the door for a young artist named Michelangelo to take the reigns and design possibly the largest church that the religion of Christianity has witnessed to this day.