Description
How were building works carried out in Roman times? What materials were used, how were they worked, and what techniques enabled the erection, paving, roofing and decoration of buildings? This volume offers a comprehensive overview of building practices in the Roman world, drawing on a region particularly rich in archaeological remains: that of the ancient ‘ciuitates of Emporiae’, ‘Gerunda’, ‘Aquae Calidae’ and ‘Blandae’. The abundance and quality of the preserved sites allow us to trace the materials, techniques and construction methods which, with their local variations, formed part of a common architectural culture across much of the Western Roman Empire. From earth, stone and pottery to lime, timber, metal and glass, the book examines building materials and processes, the different types of walls and cladding, floors and surfacing, decorative finishes and the structural elements of buildings. Intended primarily as a resource for students, but also for specialists and anyone interested in archaeology and the Roman world, the book combines an explanation of the techniques with extensive visual material—photographs, drawings, diagrams and reconstructions—enabling readers to understand not only what the Romans built, but also how they built it.
