From Timgad to Pikillacta

Cardo Maximus Road in Timgad

Thamugadi, or Timgad, was once an advanced and properous Roman colony located near the Aures Mountains in Northern Algeria. Today it is a decrepit ruin. The remains were discovered in the late 1800s, buried beneath centuries of sand buildup. The city was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan around 100 AD. Timgad was laid out with great meticulousness, showing the high standards of Roman urban planning. The buildings were constructed using only stone and the streets were lined with slabs of limestone. There were many different size houses within the community, as well as public service buildings and social gathering places. Several Roman structures were erected as a symbol of the power and affluence at the time. Archaeologists have also discovered a large aqueduct which was used to transport storm water to the settlement. The sewage and drainage systems implemented by the Romans were remarkably complex and efficient, using the natural flow of rain water through underground channels to flush away human waste. As you can see in the image below, Timgad embraced the Roman urban planning guidlines, by its incredible grid-like road system. What was the purpose of the grid system? Increased mobility and equality in land ownership. The division of land between the Romans and the African locals satisfied all inhabitants of the city. Roman citizenship was primarily granted to those who had finalized their service with the Roman army. Timgad was the ideal Roman community and the epitome of power.

Timgad's grid road network

Similar to the structure we see in Timgad, Pikillacta, Peru embodies many of the features mentioned above. Pikillacta is located in near Cuzco, in the Lucre Basin. Aqueducts and canal systems were used to provide and move water throughout the city. Many symbolic structures were constructed to show wealth and authority. A heavy emphasis was placed on the grid road pattern, as we saw in Timgad. Large and heavy walls were used to define space within the settlement. Based on its unyielding design, it appears that the city was used primarily for bureaucratic and militaristic purposes rather than for residential use. Located within broad and tall exterior walls, we can deduce that Pikillacta was a warmongering city, ready for any attack upon them. The grandiose size of the settlement goes to show how the power dynamics influenced the population. Mass numbers of people came together to build the monumental structures and develop the city.

Fortified walls surrounding Pikillacta

After learning more about both Timgad and Pikillacta, I can draw many similarities and dissimilarities. Both civilizations utilized similar architectural features to unify people and carry out daily activities. The grid road network in both sites created a sense of organization and the central gathering spaces provided entertainment and social exchange. Both cities were heavily fortified, making for a more hostile environment as the citizens lived in fear of attack. Timgad, however, was a little more oriented for family living for those who gave a large portion of their lives to the Roman army, while the Peruvian village was geared more for defence.

Rome - Abridged

Rome is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. People come from around the world to admire Rome's history of architecture and art. It could take days, possibly even weeks to gain a full understanding and to appreciate all the history it has to offer. I will be using my travel guide which I obtained from frommers.com, for a quick one day tour of some of the major sights to see in Rome.

Santi Luca e Martina Church (centre) And Curia "Senate house" (right)

I was always taught to start from the beginning, so my Roman journey will initiate in the ancient Roman Forum. Dating back to the 7th century BC, this area is rich in history and significance. The Forum is a plaza encompassed by ruins of many significant buildings, right in the heart of the city. It is believed that the creation of the Forum was directly linked to a battle between Romulus, the first King of Rome who controlled the Palatium hill, and his rival Titus Tatius who controlled the Capitolium hill. Legend has it that the women of the settlements intervened and made the men put down their weapons, and try compromising. The Forum, laying between the two hills, became a place for the two groups to meet and negotiate. This is the reason why many places today, where people meet to discuss and exchange information, are called forums.

Column of Phocas (centre), Arch of Constantine (right)

In the above picture, we can see some of the very important buildings within the Forum. These structures were the home to the religious, political and judicial systems.

To the right we can see the Column of Phocas and the Arch of Constantine. The 44ft tall Column of Phocas was the last monument to be raised in the Forum, and was raised in honour of the Roman Emperor Phocas. The Arch of Constantine was raised in honour of Constantine's victory over Maxentius in 312 AD The mighty arch with 3 archways is wrapped in fascinating sculptures and inscriptions depicting Constantine's triumph as well as other historically significant conquests.

The Colosseum

Next, we will admire the Colosseum, the ancient amphitheatre. Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD and was an astonishing feat of engineering, as it was built on supports in a swamp. Upon completion, the amphitheatre was dedicated to Titus, and was covered in marble. Its capacity was nearly 80,000 spectators and many games and events were held within.

The Pantheon

Finally, we will venture over to Piazza della Rotonda to admire The Pantheon. This remarkable building has been in constant use since its creation in 126 AD, but since the 7th century it has been used as a Roman Catholic church devoted to "St Mary and the Martyrs". The building is actually circular with a dome roof and a rectangular entrance lobby. Almost 2000 years later and its dome is still the largest non-reinforced concrete dome in the world (142ft tall).

After taking in a few of the innumerable sights of Rome, I am able to make connections between Roman architecture and modern architecture. It is clear that many of the building styles and innovations have been incorporated in buildings today, be it structural columns or dome roofs, and will continue to be used from here on out. I have gained a lot of insight from taking an abridged virtual trip through Rome and it has helped me achieve a deeper understanding of the history behind today's modern built form.

Anyways, all this walking has made me hungry and needing a rest, so I will be hitting up one of countless restaurants in the area for a slice of pizza pie and a nice, cold gelato.

See you soon!

Introduction

Hello fellow bloggers and classmates,

My name is Chris Ionescu and I'm a 3rd year student at Western University, enrolled in the Honour Specialization of Urban Development program. Upon graduation, I hope to pursue the field of commercial real estate and property management. I was born in St. Catharines and raised in London. Since my pre-pubescent days, I have always had a thing for the urban form. I would spend hours in my room, with my LEGO, planning out my very own little town. I grew up in a neighbourhood which was constantly undergoing change and development, and that change continues today. Being around all of this has really sparked my interest in the field.

This blog aims to explore the history of architecture and urbanism for Visual Arts History 3388G. Throughout the semester, I will be posting about various articles and themes pertaining to the course material, as well as my thoughts and opinions on any interesting topics I may come across.

The above picture shows the Absolute World residential condominium buildings in Mississauga, more commonly referred to as the 'Marylin Monroe' buildings, as they posses a similar curvy figure to the famous actress, model and singer. What I find extremely intriguing about these buildings is that they do not follow the traditional 90° vertical shape of many of the world's skyscrapers, rather they step outside of the norm and offer something a lot more obscure and visually appealing. These buildings were part of an international design competition and, upon completion, the towers were regarded as being among the best new skyscrapers in the world, by many architects and engineers. 

I hope you gained some understanding as to what I appreciate in urban landscapes and I will continue to update you with more of my interpretations of the built form.

- Chris