Forum of trajan
This building in the Forum of Trajan, named after the emperor’s family, served as a massive law court illuminated by clerestory window
What is the Basilica Ulpia?
This Roman emperor rebuilt the Pantheon after it was damaged by fire.
Who is Hadrian?
This chaotic Roman tomb relief shows a battle between Romans and barbarians.
What is the Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus?
This underground burial complex stretches over five miles and contains nearly 40,000 tombs.
What are the Catacombs of Priscilla?
Built on the site of Saint Sabina’s house, this church honors her and her relics brought there in 430 CE.
What is Santa Sabina?
Romans thought this construction material was ugly, so they covered it with brick or marble—yet it allowed them to create revolutionary new spatial designs.
What is concrete?
According to one popular theory, Hadrian dedicated the Pantheon to this group—twelve major divine figures including Zeus, Hera, Athena, and Apollo.
Who are the Olympian gods?
On this sarcophagus, the Romans are shown as noble and heroic, while these figures are bearded and exaggerated.
Who are the barbarians?
This naturally soft volcanic stone made it easier for Romans to carve underground burial chambers.
What is tufa?
This type of Roman public building was adapted by early Christians because it could hold large congregations.
What is a basilica?
This 125-foot monument contains a 625-foot spiral frieze with 2,500 figures and also held Trajan’s ashes.
What is Trajan’s Column?
Although this structure has a traditional temple façade, visitors in Ancient Rome were visually tricked because they couldn’t see its famous dome from the courtyard.
What is the Pantheon
This carving technique, which allowed deep cutting and dramatic shadows, was used to make the figures stand out.
What is a hand drill?
This painting technique, used on the catacomb walls, involves applying pigment to wet plaster.
What is fresco?
This row of high windows lets light into the church and symbolically represents Christ.
What is the clerestory?
This semicircular structure in Trajan’s Forum had over 150 shops and used groin vaults and clerestory windows.
What is Trajan’s Market?
This engineering feature lightens the Pantheon’s massive dome with sunken panels that also repeat the building’s geometric theme.
What are coffers?
This growing religion influenced new burial practices in Rome and helped make sarcophagus burials fashionable.
What is Christianity?
This common early image shows Christ carrying a sheep, symbolizing salvation and care for believers.
What is the Good Shepherd?
These reused Corinthian columns from earlier pagan buildings demonstrate the practice of recycling architectural elements.
What is spolia?
Trajan built his massive forum here only after his architect, Apollodorus of Damascus, removed part of a hill to make room.
What is the Quirinal Hill?
(Also acceptable: “What is a hill in Rome?” if you want an easier version.)
This 27-foot-wide architectural feature is the Pantheon’s only source of direct light and acts as a giant sundial.
What is the oculus?
The sarcophagus was found near this Roman gate and later owned by Cardinal Ludovisi, giving the work its name.
What is the Porta Tiburtina?
This small burial-and-worship chamber in the Catacombs of Priscilla was decorated with First Style wall painting and named for Greek inscriptions.
What is the Greek Chapel?
The long central nave leads directly to this semi-circular space where the altar is located.
What is the apse?