What Are Roman Domes?

Early Roman Architecture

• Roman architecture was an aggregation of several different styles of building taken from other cultures. Roman architecture expanded to larger buildings with more innovative and decorative features. The arch and the dome were among the most prominent features. Due to their ability to house large open areas, domes were utilized in religious structures where hundreds of followers could congregate at a time. They are notable for their semi-spherical shape and their location on the apex of buildings.

Dome Construction

• Roman builders relied on specific structures to enhance their public spaces. Due to the weight of the overhead "hoop" of the dome, construction initially focused on buttressing the overhead weight. Concrete was used to enhance the structural integrity of both the dome and its supports. Arches were used beneath most domes to help channel their weight to the ground, making these buildings particularly resilient.

Early Roman Domes

• Although many early Roman domes have been lost due to wars and natural causes, some original Roman domes stand today, some of which have undergone little to no renovation using modern technology. Many domes were implemented in later churches and temples as well. Famous Roman domes constructed before the culmination of the fall of Rome in A.D. 473 include the Pantheon, which was the largest of the world's domes for over 1,700 years, and the starry dome in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna.

Later Domes

• Modern domes can be seen across the globe on a wide variety of buildings and structures, specifically throughout the U.S. and Europe. Though popular for religious buildings, domes have found their way into governmental structures, including the United States Capitol and the dome of the Massachusetts state capitol. St. Peter's Basilica and many other churches, temples and places of worship house traditional domes, mainly in North America and Europe.