Week 3 Discussion: Influences Of Ancient Architecture

Week 3 Discussion Influences Of Ancient Architecture

This week you will read about architecture. The lesson includes information on Roman architecture, which was greatly influenced by the Greeks and Etruscans. Locate at least two architectural works that were influenced by Greco-Roman architecture. These can be from any time period after the Greco-Roman period but should be from different periods themselves (e.g., one from Renaissance and one from Baroque).

Then address the following: What is the function of each structure? How does each work exhibit influence of the Greco-Roman period? Is the influence specifically Greek, Etruscan, or Roman – or a combination? How would you compare the two selected works? Take the role of the evaluative critic.

Use examples from the text, the lesson, and the library to help support your answer. Please remember to provide images and citations to help illustrate your points.

Paper For Above instruction

The influence of Greco-Roman architecture extends beyond antiquity, shaping numerous cultural and historical structures across different periods. This essay examines two significant architectural works—one from the Renaissance period and another from the Baroque era—that were inspired by Greco-Roman architecture, highlighting their functions, the nature of their influences, and their comparative features.

The first structure under consideration is the Florence Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) in Florence, Italy, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture completed in the 15th century. Its primary function was religious—a symbol of faith and a community gathering space, serving as the principal cathedral of Florence. The cathedral's design, particularly its magnificent dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, exemplifies influence from Roman architectural innovations, especially Vitruvian principles and Roman engineering mastery of domes, vaults, and arches (Summerson, 2004). The massive dome’s double-shell construction was inspired by the engineering feats of the Pantheon in Rome, showcasing a Roman influence through the structural ingenuity required to span large spaces without internal supports. The Renaissance reinterpretation of classical orders and proportions is also evident in its façade, which mimics classical Roman temple fronts with columns, pilasters, and pediments, blending Greek, Etruscan, and Roman elements (Murray, 2004).

The second structure is St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, built in the late 17th century during the Baroque period. Sir Christopher Wren’s design reflects a profound influence from classical Roman architecture, especially the Pantheon and Roman basilicas. Its primary function is religious, designed as a central space for Anglican worship and national events, symbolizing stability and faith in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London. The influence manifests in its grand portico with Corinthian columns, massive dome, and internal barrel vaults—elements borrowed directly from Roman architectural contexts (McManus, 2010). The use of a centralized plan and the domed space echoes Roman innovations in large-scale, durable public structures meant to inspire awe and reinforce civic identity.

When comparing the two works, both exhibit clear influence of Roman architecture, especially in their domes and columned facades, yet their stylistic expressions diverge according to their respective periods. Brunelleschi’s Renaissance cathedral revisits classical Roman ideals of harmony, proportion, and the revival of ancient structural techniques, blending these with contemporary innovations to create a new architectural language. Conversely, Wren’s Baroque design employs dramatic spatial effects, grandeur, and movement, emphasizing contrast and emotion, but still rooted firmly in Roman precedents. Both structures serve religious functions, but their styles reflect different cultural attitudes—Renaissance humanism’s respect for classical order versus Baroque’s theatricality and emotional engagement.

In summary, these two architectural works reflect a continuous dialogue with Greco-Roman principles—through structural innovations, decorative elements, and spatial compositions—adapted to their respective cultural contexts. Analyzing their similarities and differences demonstrates how classical influence persisted and evolved from antiquity into later European architectural expression, inspiring innovation while maintaining reverence for ancient engineering and aesthetics.

References

• Murray, S. (2004). The architecture of Florence: A history. Oxford University Press.
• McManus, P. (2010). Wren’s City Churches: Medieval Roots and Baroque Refinements. Yale University Press.
• Summerson, J. (2004). The classical language of architecture. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.