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Aegean Sea

varying topographyplainsmountainspeninsulasislands

3D topographic map by Frank Ramspott

flowering annualsvetchtoadflaxlupin

evergreen shrubsthymesagerosemary

dense, tall plantsoleander

broomroserock

deciduous treesolive

oakelm

Strategic Agriculture• lands are less fertile than those near the

Nile river• climate conditions – rain shadows• less useful lands were used for pastures• prime agricultural lands were used for

farming (cereals, wine, and oil as traditional Mediterranean agricultural triad)

• ploughing the farmlands three times a year

• alternating cultivation of wheat, olive, and grapes

Irrigation and Reclamation Techniques• dikes and irrigation ditches

as irrigation channels• small dams to collect water runoff from

mountains • land reclamation near streams to prevent

overinundation

Illustration by H.M. Herget, National Geographic Creativewww.nationalgeographic.com

1,600 BC• large-scale urban and rural landscape

developments• cultural focus on mainland Greece and

Peloponessus

800 BC: Rise of City-States• prosperous communities dominated by

one or several powerful individuals• organized through socio-economic order• form of government shifted from oligarchy

(800 BC) to democracy (500 BC)• Over 1,000 poleis in the Greek world,

having Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes as few of the important poleis during that time

Athenian Agora 5th Century BCwww.ancienthistoryofgreece.com

Greek Culture• outdoor activities• social interaction• attitude of inquiry• sensitivity to the spirit of site (genius loci)

Agora• polis’ center• facilitates commerce, small industry, and

political activity• eventually facilitated philosophical and

theatrical arts, groves, schools, public open spaces

www.socialhizo.com

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Topographical Advantages

www.colourbox.com

www.wineviews.com

Theater of Dionysus (Athens, Greece)

Construction Materials• marble• limestone• mud• timber

Notable Infrastructures• Parthenon• Erectheum

www.fineartamerica.comwww.wikipedia.com

Landscape Characteristics• diversity in landscapes• uplands• small river valleys• Po Valley, Latium, lowlands of Etrutia,

Campagna – alluvial areas• broad, warm lands

Climate• rainfall on the western slopes of the

Appenine mountain ranges

www.fineartamerica.com

3D topographic map by Frank Ramspott

Romans• Settlement on the banks of Tiber river• (region) ideal for settlement – dense

evergreen oaks, fertile land warmed by Thyrrhenian Sea

Estruscans• settled in slopes of hills and mountains –

flooding and health issues

Livelihood, Technologies• Rudimentary farming• Immigrants from beyond Alps –

metallurgy, timbered and moated structures

http://travelswithnancy.com

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Fight for Dominance• both civilizations aimed for regional

supremacy

Estruscans• 500 BC - expanded and built city-states

across the northern and central Italy• borrowed Greek technologies on irrigation

methods and soil management• same time their domination began to

wane

Romans• took over the majority of the region later

on• agriculture was the prime industry and

source of wealth• constantly expanding agriculture lands and

creating new settlements in undeveloped regions

Roman Colonization• realization of colonies’ economic potential• ideally had to look and function like Rome

– focus on supervision and planning• designations

• latin colonies (non-citizens)• citizen colonies (Romans)

Ager Romanus• “field of Rome”• rural area surrounding Rome• Became state-held lands thus increasing

territory and power• success in territory expansion

Rise of Roman Colonies• 260 BC – 8 colonies along the coasts• 59 BC to 17 AD – 10 maritime colonies• A total of approximately 50 colonies at the

end of 17 AD

Urban Centers• catered trade,

politics, social intrigue, and survival

• very fast-paced commercial and residential activities

• from small settlements to crowded inhospitable communities

Centuriation• grid plan method of land

measurement• way of subdividing colony

lands into parcelsCardo, Decumano, Maximus• main axes and point of

Roman coloniesGroma• standard ancient Roman

surveying instrument• guide for creating roads

and grid lines

http://socks-studio.com

http://www.muelaner.com

Urban Centers• catered trade,

politics, social intrigue, and survival

• very fast-paced commercial and residential activities

• from small settlements to crowded inhospitable communities

Latifundia• large farms owned by wealthy individuals• purchase of public lands from the state• slave labor• agricultural factories

Rise of Recreation Gardens• shift from utilitarian horticulture to garden

practices as aesthetic exercise• duality of gardens• House of the Vettii, Pompeii

• resort town for wealthy Romans• paved atriums, garden court

surrounded by roofed colonnade (peristyle)

• paintings extending the garden space

quadralectics.wordpress.com Illustrated History of Landscape Design (Bouls and Sullivan)

Latifundia• large farms owned by wealthy individuals• purchase of public lands from the state• slave labor• agricultural factories

Rise of Recreation Gardens• shift from utilitarian horticulture to gardenic

practices as aesthetic exercise• duality of gardens

House of the Vettii, Pompeii• resort town for wealthy Romans• paved atriums, garden court

surrounded by roofed colonnade (peristyle)

• paintings extending the garden space

quadralectics.wordpress.com

robobrawl.com

House of Vetti Peristyle Gardenferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com

Flowers used in Roman gardens

Pupose of Villas• escape from urban

responsibility by wealthy individuals

• later on inspired Renaissance designers

Pliny’s Seaside Villa, Rome• Pliny the Younger planned

the rooms of his villa according to function and climatic requirements

• Designed to take advantage of the views

Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli, Italy• Inspired by emperor

Hadrian’s fascination with architecture and classical culture

• has Roman, Greek, Egyptian influence

quadralectics.wordpress.com

Pliny’s Villa. Illustrated History of Landscape Design (Bouls and Sullivan)

Hadiran’s Villa. Illustrated History of Landscape Design (Bouls and Sullivan)

Lincoln Memorial (Washington.org)

Philadelphia Museum of Art (Britannica.com)

National Gallery of Art West Building (Wikimedia Commons)

1Do you think Greek/Roman Architecture, in one way or another, monopolizes architectural expression of representing power, influence, and wealth?

2Aside from Greek/Roman Architecture, is there another architectural style that would be “appropriate” to honor and commemorate America’s notable historical figures? (e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson)