1st–2nd century CEReputable sourceWell documented
Roman Architecture: The Arch and Concrete
On the timeline · around 1st–2nd century CE · The Ancient World
What happened
The Romans revolutionized building with two innovations: the arch (and its extensions, the vault and the dome) and concrete. These let them enclose vast interior spaces and build on an unprecedented scale — the Colosseum, the aqueducts, and above all the Pantheon, whose enormous unreinforced concrete dome still stands after nearly two thousand years.
Why it matters
Roman engineering with the arch and concrete transformed what architecture could do, making possible huge public buildings, bridges, and aqueducts. Their techniques underpinned Western construction for millennia.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Roman Architecture · Reputable source
Related timelines
- Ancient Rome → — The engineering of the Colosseum and the Pantheon