It is evident
that the Romans lived like they were gods, and this is because they built like
they were gods – colossal, majestic, and structurally remarkable. When
studying Roman buildings, it is extremely common to become fascinated with
their accomplishments, from the mastery of materials to their ambitious scale
of structural grandeur. The Basilica of Maxentius is a prime example of the Romans’
structural ingenuity and the godly level to which they perceived themselves to
be a part of.
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| The remains of the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome, Italy. |
Covering an area
of almost 70,000 square feet and rising above the ground approximately 115
feet, there is no doubt that the Basilica of Maxentius is one of the most
impressive buildings of Ancient Rome. It earns the title as one of the largest
concrete structures built in ancient Rome, and remains the title as the
tallest structure still standing from the Roman Forum.1 The construction
started in 308 AD by the emperor at the time, Maxentius,
but completed by "Constantine the Great" after his defeat over Maxentius in the Battle
of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD.3 This marked a turning point
for building in the city of Rome, as the empire began to see a decline in the
construction of large vaulted public monuments like that of the basilica.
Traditionally,
basilicas were used as public market places and courthouses, acting as roofed
extensions of the forum. However, traditional basilicas were built with a flat
roof; the Basilica of Maxentius was built with a folded roof, allowing a diminution
of the overall weight of the structure and decreasing the horizontal forces
exerted on the outer arches. Under the roof, the building consisted of a
central nave covered by three groin vaults
suspended over 110 feet above the floor on four large piers. It
ended in an apse
at the western end containing the colossal statue of Constantine, fragments of
which are now held in a courtyard in a museum in Rome.
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| Proposed section of the Basilica of Maxentius. |
The horizontal
forces of the groin vaults were held by moderately large nearby aisles (75x56 feet).
These aisles were spanned by 3 semi-circular barrel vaults perpendicular to the
nave, and narrow arcades
ran parallel to the nave beneath the barrel vaults.2 The nave itself
covered an area of 21,528 square feet (83x265 feet). Running the length of the southern
end of the basilica was a projecting “prostyle”
porch with four columns (tetrastyle).
 |
| Floor plan of the Basilica of Maxentius. |
The Basilica of
Maxentius is emblematic for many reasons, from the construction of the Roman
forum, to the rebirth of an empire. Most importantly, it serves as a
representation of the Roman ingenuity of construction, their mastery of
materials, and implementation of unique design. The basilica is a prime example
of how Romans used certain techniques that had been formed and matured over time
and applied them successfully on a scale that went unmatched. However, even
this godly structure is no match for the forces of nature. After an earthquake
in 847 AD, the south and central sections of the basilica were destroyed; later on, the nave
collapsed in 1349 AD from another earthquake. Only one of the eight 66-feet high
columns survived the tremors of these earthquakes and was transported by Pope
Paul V to Basilica
Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.2
Today, the
Basilica of Maxentius is a half-cut structure, with the north aisle being
exposed, revealing 3 concrete barrel vaults. The ceilings of the barrel vaults are
covered with octagonal ceiling coffers showing, yet again, the structural
skills of the Romans.
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| Octagonal ceiling coffers of the Basilica of Maxentius. |
Valued for its
use of large concrete vaults and referred to as one of the greatest engineering
achievements of Rome, what remains of the Basilica of Maxentius can only give
us a partial gratitude of the magnificance with which the basilica once stood.
1 Ramos, Katleiah. "Basilica of Maxentius." Engineering
Rome. Engineering Rome, 19 Sept. 2013. Web.
2 Norris, Shawn T. "BASILICA OF MAXENTIUS AND
CONSTANTINE: A BUILDING FOR EVERY NEED." Rome Across Europe. Rome
Across Europe, 21 June 2016. Web.
3 Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements,
History, and Meaning. New York, NY: Icon Editions, 1993. Pg. 30, 222.
Print.
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