Romans columns

Types Roman Columns

Roman column types were a principal element in all Roman classical and subsequent architectural styles. Column design, proportion, and the degree of embellishment of the different column orders established the significance of a building. Column types played functional and aesthetic roles, which later influenced European and colonial architecture.

Roman column types include:

• Doric

  The Doric order of roman columns developed from the simpler Greek Doric order. It was predominantly used in temples and public buildings. It has an unembellished and stout structure characterized by a fluted column shaft, with twelve concave grooves, and a plain capital. It had a solid, mushroom-like geometric capital called the echinus and a flat square-shaped abacus on top. The Doric column used a simple, sturdy wooden beam for the supporting column bases, consisting mainly of a rounded torus and a flat part called the plinth.

• Ionic

  The Ionic order was also adopted from the Greek Ionic order but elaborately embellished in the Roman style. The scroll-like volutes on the capital characterized the Ionic column. The capital also had a thin band called a fillet separating the volute from the rest of the capital. An Ionic shaft was slender and had twenty-four flutes rather than the Greek order's twenty-four flutes. The column base was more complex than the Doric, consisting of stacked rings, a torus, and a plinth.

• Corinthian

  The Corinthian order is a column type characterized by an acanthus plant-shaped ornate capital. This order is the Roman version of the Corinthian order from the Greek architectural style. A Corinthian column is the most elaborately decorated of the three orders. An acanthus plant and a soothing scroll-like volute form the capital's center and side edges, respectively. A Corinthian column shaft is similar to Ionic; it is slender and elaborately fluted, though usually more richly decorated. The column base resembles an Ionic base and is more complex, consisting of multiple rounded toruses and plinths.

• Composite

  The Composite Order of Roman columns was developed by combining elements of the Corinthian and Ionic orders. It uses an ornate capital with volutes and acanthus leaves. It is regarded as the most lavish Roman column order. This column order was mainly used later by the Roman Empire to stress monumental architecture. The column base of Composite columns was complex, resembling Ionic bases, highlighting multiple rounded toruses and plinths.

Features of Roman Columns

• Classical proportions

  All Roman columns were based on the highly proportioned system of Classical orders to derive harmony and balance. The proportions differed with the column order, determining the shaft's diameter, height, capital, and base. Doric columns' shafts were stouter and shorter than the Corinthian and Ionic orders. The Ionic had more slender proportions than the Doric Ionics, and the Corinthian columns were the slimmest of all. The base of a Roman column was always a third of its total height.

• Rounding and fluting

  The shafts of most Roman columns were circular because they were produced from stone blocks, marble, or concrete. They were also fluted, meaning the shaft part had grooves or ridges cut into it. This fluting increased grip and made the column look more elaborate. Normally, there were from four to eight flutes on a Roman column. Their number depended on the order with which the column was associated.

• Capital

  The capital of a Roman column is the upper end part and where the distinction is between all the column orders. A Doric capital was plain and unembellished, a stepped epistyle, and a flat echinus. The Ionic capital was more ornate, characterized by volute scroll-like shapes. The Corinthian capital included a sculpted acanthus plant with volutes, making it the most elaborate capital. The capitol hill building represents all the column capitals.

• Bases and plinths

  Roman columns' bases and plinths differed with the column order. The Doric base was plain and unembellished, consisting of a rounded torus and a flat plinth. The Ionic base was more elaborate, consisting of multiple stacked rings and rounded toruses. The Composite base was the most ornate, richly decorated with many rounded toruses and plinths.

How to Choose Roman Column

• Function

  District buyers should suggest the function of the columns to their clients because it determines what position the column variants serve, such as a supporting element or an ornamental feature. Consider the purpose of the building for which the column will be used.

• Material

  Roman columns are built of concrete residences, natural stones, and marbles. They primarily used these materials to value the solidity and density of the columns. Each material gives a different aesthetic finish to a column, so buyers should consider customers' preferences. Columns made of concrete give modernity to a building, while marble ones provide luxury and classic looks.

• Durability and strength

  Buyers should also consider columns' strength and durability, especially if they support huge loads. The material of the column defines its durability. Natural stone columns are stronger than those made of concrete because they can support enormous structures. Similarly, concrete columns are very durable and particularly suitable for modern structures.

• Aesthetic appeal

  Since Roman columns are associated with aesthetics, buyers should consider columns appealing to their clients. Certain column orders are different regarding appeal. For instance, Corinthian columns are the most elaborate and occupy prestigious places.

• Cost

  Buyers should consider the cost of the columns' material and craftsmanship. Roman columns are expensive, especially of high-quality materials like marble. Concrete columns are cheaper than stone or masonry columns, yet not as cheaper as plywood columns.

How to Use Roman Columns

Buyers can use the information below to educate their clients on how to use the Roman columns properly.

• Support

  Roman columns have supported construction elements since ancient times. They were used to support the roof and upper floors. Today, they still support beams, ceilings, and roofs. Columns bearing the load transfer it to the foundation and adjacent walls.

• Resistance to loads

  Roman columns are very strong and resist large loads. It made them ideal for use in large public spaces or on monumental structures. They resist compressive forces and, therefore, must be used on structures requiring great mass or height.

• Orientation

  Roman columns orient and distribute the load the structure bears. A column helps distribute the weight from the roof downward to the foundation. The Capitol dome of the United States and several buildings uses this method. An axial load is transferred to the foundation, with lateral loads supporting adjacent walls.

• Aesthetic appeal

  Roman columns add glamour and dignity to structures. For their beauty, they can be included in buildings, even if they don't bear any structural load. Such buildings include museums and government offices. A building uses columns to unify various architectural styles.

• Historical significance

  Roman columns were used in Renaissance and neoclassicism architectural styles in many European structures. An example is the British Museum and the White House. They symbolize law, civility, and democracy.

Benefits of Roman Columns

• Strength and durability

  Roman columns are very strong and durable due to the materials used to make them. The materials include concrete, natural stone, and marble. The makers used these materials to ensure the columns supported huge loads and resist the elements, including rain and wind. The strength makes them ideal for use in large structures.

• Timeless design

  The design of Roman columns is so classic and doesn't look easily out of style, thus making them fit for use in any style of building. This makes them incorporated in modern and historic buildings. Their classic nature enables them to add grandeur and cohesiveness to structures regardless of the architectural style.

• Aesthetic value

  This is another benefit of Roman columns. Their different orders have various degrees of ornamentation and embellishment, which add beauty to structures. A Corinthian capital volute acanthus scroll is more intricate than the Doric column, which is plain and simple but quite massive.

• Symbolism

  Roman columns have become very important historical, cultural, and political representations in Western civilization. They are thought to symbolize democracy, law, and civic virtue. This makes them appear in government buildings and monuments worldwide. The columns, therefore, represent stability, power, and enduring legacy.

• Versatility

  Roman columns are very versatile and serve structural and non-structural purposes. They supported buildings and incorporated as mere decorative elements. They can also delineate space, mark entrances, and improve interior and exterior landscapes.

Q&A

Q1: Which stone is used to build roman columns?

A1: Most of the columns of ancient Roman structures were built of limestone, marble, or volcanic tuff, a porous rock.

Q2: How were the roman columns so strong?

A2: A Roman column was stronger due to the concrete composition added volcanic ash, which made it more durable.

Q2: Which was the most elaborately decorated Roman column order?

A3: The Corinthian order was the most elaborately decorated of all Roman column orders.

Q3: What was the most preferred material for building Roman columns?

A4: The most preferred material for building roman columns was marble due to its strength and aesthetic appeal.