http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering Examine some of Ancient Rome's most spectacular achivements in architecture and engineering, from the Colosseum, to aqueducts, to giant amphitheatres. en Copyright 2013, History.com Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-20T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo1 Begun between AD 70- 72, the Colosseum could seat 50,000 people and measured 620 by 513 feet. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo2 The Colosseum's three levels are encircled by Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo3 Gladiators, animals and soldiers engaged in all types of combat within the Colosseum. The Colosseum could even be flooded to allow naval reenactments to take place. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo4 This triumphal arch (AD 312) celebrates the emperor Constantine and incorporates many previous works of Roman art. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo5 The center of the Ancient city of Rome, the Forum was used for public meetings, religious spectacles, legal courts, commerce and more. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo6 One of the best preserved and most architecturally sophisticated Roman monuments, the Pantheon has remained in constant use since its construction. Now 2,000 years old, it still boasts the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo7 Begun in 312 BCE and extending almost 330 miles, the Appian Way was the main road from Rome to southeast Italy and beyond. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo8 Constructed from blocks of lava or lime laid over heavy stone, Roman roads followed extremely straight paths. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo9 Located 60 miles from Tripoli in Libya, Leptis Magna was a strong ally of Rome and the birthplace of Roman emperor Septimius Severus. The amphitheatre was built in AD 56. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo10 Used to transport water to population centers, most Roman aqueducts consisted of underground pipes. Occasionally they crossed valleys using a system of stone arches. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo11 Built between AD 98- 117, this Roman aqueduct carried water 10 miles into the heart of Segovia, Spain. It is one of the best-preserved works of Roman engineering. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo11 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo12 Running 73 miles from coast to coast, Hadrian's Wall protected the province of Britain from barbarian invaders to the north. Roman soldiers began construction in AD 122. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo12 http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo13 Housestead was one of many forts built along Hadrian's wall to protect the Roman empire from barbarian tribes in northern Great Britain. http://www.history.com/photos/roman-architecture-and-engineering/photo13