1. The Roman Empire was at one time thought to be the most important civilisation in the world. 400 years ago, the world as it was known to Europeans, was Roman. The architecture and art of the time was magnificent. Unfortunately just a few buildings and structures remain of that period. Some are in ruins and we can only imagine their former glory. The following are a few examples of what remains from that time.

2. The Arch of Titus is made of marble and was built in Rome AD81. It was constructed as a posthumous monument by Titus’ brother and successor

3. The sculptural decoration on the arch commemorates the victory of Titus and his father during the Jewish war and celebrates the rise of Titus to god-like status.

4. These Roman baths are located in North Africa. Romans built bathing complexes comprising several baths ranging in temperature, changing rooms and exercise areas. Heating was provided by hypocaust or underfloor heating, where hot air is circulated.

5. These Roman Baths are located in the city of Bath in England. The water comes from Britain’s only natural hot spring.The Baths are probably the best preserved in existence today. No one bathes in the water now, but thousands of visitors go to view the remaining pool and structures. They were built sometime in the 1 st century

6. The Pantheon is a temple in Rome in AD118, built as a place of worship. Pantheon means ‘All Gods’. The roof is in a dome shape which has a hole in the roof which provides most of the light.

7. PONT DU GARD The ‘Pont du Gard’ is a bridge in Nimes France It was built to carry water over the river Gard These structures were called aqueducts Gravity was used to allow the water to flow This aqueduct is 275m long and 48.77m high Such structures were architecutural feats

8. This theatre is located at Leptis Magna which is on the North African coast. The city had a strong Roman flavour and was once one of the wealthiest in the empire. The theatre was built in AD1-2 by a wealthy local citizen Annobal Rufus.

9. The colosseum was built in AD75 by Emperor Vespasian and is the largest of all Roman amphitheatres. It is elliptical in shape, rising to a height of 48.5m. At its widest it is 156m. 55,000 could be seated with the women occupying the top sections

10. Without the wooden flooring, the hidden system of cages and access corridors located beneath the arena is clearly visible. Wild animals were a vital part of major games. They were brought to the surface by handlers. They often appeared through trapdoors located around the arenas which surprised the crowd

11. Trajan’s column in Rome stands 38m high and was dedicated in AD113. It was added later by Hadrian to Emperor Trajan’s forum

12. The exterior of Trajan’s Column is extensively decorated. There are 2500 figures on the column. Inside the column is a spiral staircase with 185 steps. There is platform at the top.There are some small windows that help to light the staircase.

13. A forum was an open square where crowds could gather to conduct business and politics. Emperor Trajan celebrated his defeat of the Dacians (modern Romania) by building this. The money from these campaigns financed the construction 1 is the arch of Trajan 2 is an equestrian statue 3 are porticoes 4 is a basilica 5 are two libraries 6 is Trajan’s column 7 is a temple to Trajan

14. The Circus Maximus in Rome contains an oval track surrounded by tiered seating. The chariot races held here were extremely popular. Up to 250,000 spectators could watch. People supported their favourites and betting sometimes occurred. Frequent crashes and danger seemed to attract the crowds. Circus Maximus means the biggest circus.

15. Hadrian’s Villa was built by Emperor Hadrian between AD118 and AD134 and was a complex rather than a single building. There were lavish gardens and palatial structures representing the personal fantasy of the most powerful man on earth at the time

16. Hadrian’s Wall was built in AD122. Emperor Hadrian visited Britain and ordered a wall to be built which would mark the northern limits of his empire. South of the wall would be those parts of Britain already conquered by the Romans.