Posted on 09/02/2011 8:15:56 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
A most unusual Roman structure depicting their technical advancement is the Pantheon, a brick faced building that has withstood the ravages of weathering in near perfect condition, sitting magnificently in the business district of Rome. Perhaps its longevity is told by its purpose . . . to honor all gods. Above all, this building humbles the modern engineer not only in its artistic splendor, but also because there are no steel rods to counter the high tensile forces such as we need to hold modern concrete together. Describing this large circular building tells much of the intelligence of its builders; it was designed to contain a fictional ball, and is some 143 feet in diameter with a wall in the form of skirts dropping from its circumference. In the center of the dome is a 19-foot opening held in place by a bronze ring backed by a brick ring integrated into the concrete dome. This ingenious opening admitted sunlight to brighten the interior The slightly curved marble floor provided drainage and the complex notches in the walls and ceiling tell only a few features of its meticulous design.
(Excerpt) Read more at romanconcrete.com ...
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| GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
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G'night all! |
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roman concrete is an interesting subject.
the technique was lost during the middle ages.
The Roman engineers were known to use animal blood in the concrete mix...also loved to bed construction on crushed stone....
Some buildings make it, some don't.
The Roman Empire brought construction to a whole new level.
The ability to build big stuff without the need of a granite quarry.
Great post.
“..[H]ow did those Romans around the time of Christ build such elaborate, ageless structures in concrete as seen on the skyline of Rome?”
I have wondered the same thing so many times during my visits to Rome.
I was in the Pantheon 3 weeks ago. It is such an amazing piece of work. I dig the convex marble floor (which is quite noticable as you walk around the open interior) that drains away rainwater coming through the hole in the roof.
The best thing was, the McDonalds is gone! Yes, there was a McDonalds on the East side of the Pantheon for some years. One “M” sign remains, indicating 50 meters to the McDonalds. But the store itself is gone, thank goodness.
we also lost the Stargate technology
Good article thanks for posting it.
BUMP!
ping
“Perhaps its longevity is told by its purpose . . . to honor all gods”
I’m sure that’s not it. Try again......
What do mean “thank goodness”? It was a great place for a burger on the patio while at the same time enjoying the Pantheon!
The REAL reason the Pantheon is still around is that it was converted to a church before most pagan monuments were deliberately destroyed by 4th and 5th Century mobs. Constans II didn’t even steal the brass ring along with all the other architectural brass in the city that literally let the place fall apart. (The brass for making weapons against the Muslims was subsequently captured on the way to Constantinople by Muslim pirates.)
Another fascinating post. Thanks.
Cured (kept wet) long enough, concrete turns into something like well-cured limestone—a lost bit of technology in a country of clients and bosses who won’t wait for anything. Too bad that their subservient slaves don’t build as well as I. Not for hire, BTW, until the default process has run its course and corrected a few business and political problems. ;-)
Sorry sir. The romans invented what is now called “portland” cement. I spent several years as a laborer. Brutal.
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