Roman typologies

Welcome to the Roman Typologies Escape Room. Start by reviewing the material on the slide. Watch the videos and all the photos of the carousels. When you're ready, click the center of the slide. A window will appear with a question. To advance in the legion's cursus honorum, you must answer each question correctly.

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UTILITARIAN TYPOLOGIES:

• AQUEDUCTS
• FOUNTAINS
• SEWERS
• WAREHOUSES

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🌉 Roman Aqueducts

Aqueducts were one of Rome's most impressive engineering works. Their function was to transport water from springs and mountains to the cities, ensuring the supply of fountains, baths, homes, and gardens. They consisted of long underground pipelines and, when the terrain required it, spectacular stone arches that spanned valleys and uneven ground, such as the Pont du Gard in Gaul. Thanks to this system, Rome once had eleven main aqueducts, which guaranteed constant water to a population of over one million. Their design combined technical precision, durability, and monumentality, reflecting the power and organizational capacity of the Empire.

💧 Roman public fountains

In ancient Rome, public fountains were much more than just decorations: they were connected to aqueducts and allowed any inhabitant free access to water. Fountains were also places of social gathering and interaction. They were a symbol of the Empire's abundance and the importance of hygiene and community life. Some fountains were decorated with statues of gods or heroes, a reminder that water also had a sacred character. carácter sagrado.

🌑 Roman sewers

In Rome, the construction of sanitation systems was fundamental to the city's growth. Notable among these was the Cloaca Maxima (Greatest Sewer), which dates back to the city's earliest days. Over the centuries, this infrastructure was expanded to become an underground complex connected to the aqueducts. In addition to its practical role, it was linked to the sacred: the Romans associated it with the goddess Venus Cloacina, protector of purity and cleanliness.

🏛️ Roman Storehouses /warehouses

The Romans built their great warehouses on the shores of the sea or rivers because they were the main points of arrival for goods. Ships transported grain, wine, oil, and other products from different regions of the Empire, and when the cargo was unloaded at the port, it was necessary to have immediate spaces to store, sort, and distribute the goods. This strategic location reduced the time and cost of land transport, as well as facilitating the control of trade and supplies for the city. The Porticus Aemilia, built in the 2nd century BC along the Tiber, was one of the largest warehouses in Rome. Built in concrete, it served as a storage and distribution center for goods, especially grain, and reflected the logistical capacity of the Empire.

RECREATION TYPOLOGIES:

• THEATERS
• ARENAS
• CIRCUS
• THERMAL BATHS

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🎭 Roman Theaters

Theater of Marcellus

Roman theaters were modeled on the Greek ones, but differed in several respects: they were larger, semicircular in plan, and were not located on natural hills but on concrete vaulted structures. They were built near the city center, not next to temples, and served as entertainment venues, without the semi-religious function of their Greek predecessors. The Theatre of Marcellus in Rome, inaugurated in 12 BC, had a capacity for about 11,000 spectators, and its cavea was organized on three levels. Later, the Theatre of Aspendos, in present-day Turkey, reached 17,000 seats and is one of the best preserved. Both demonstrate the importance of theater as an urban symbol in Roman cities.

Flavian Amphitheater (The Colosseum)

The amphitheater was the largest public structure in Rome used for spectacles and games. Its main innovation was the creation of an oval-shaped building with stands that completely surrounded the central arena. Hence its name: from the Greek amphi ('around') and theatron ('place to see'). These spaces were dedicated to gladiatorial combats, fights with wild beasts, and other mass spectacles. The largest and most famous of all was the Flavian Amphitheater, known as the Colosseum, opened in 80 AD under Emperor Vespasian and completed by his son Titus. With a capacity of 50,000 to 55,000 spectators, it offered free shows and became a monumental symbol of imperial power and an enduring symbol of entertainment architecture.ura del entretenimiento.

Flavian Amphitheater (The Colosseum)

Construction Innovation The Colosseum was also a feat of engineering. It was built on a huge foundation ring of concrete and tuff, with a complex network of underground passages (hypogeum) that allowed gladiators and animals to enter the arena directly via trapdoors and elevators. Thanks to this system, the spectacles could surprise the audience with sudden appearances and rapid changes of scenery. The organization of entrances and staircases also allowed tens of thousands of people to enter and exit in just a few minutes, something extraordinary for the time.

🐎 Circus Maximus

The circus was the largest entertainment facility in Rome, primarily used for horse and chariot racing. The most famous, the Circus Maximus, was built in a valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills. With a track over 600 meters long and seating for around 250,000 spectators, it was the largest entertainment venue in the Empire. Its central axis, called the spina, was decorated with obelisks and statues, while at the ends were metae, turning points that made the races spectacular and dangerous.

🛁 Roman Thermal Bath Houses

Roman baths were public complexes that combined hygiene, leisure, sport, and social life. The bather's thermal itinerary typically followed this order: first, the changing room (apodyterium), followed by a cold bath in the frigidarium or exercise in the natatio. Next, they would move to the tepidarium (warm water room). If available, the sudatorium (steam room) was visited before the hot water pool (caldarium). Some doctors recommended finishing back in the frigidarium. By the 4th century AD, Rome had nearly a thousand baths, some of monumental scale, such as those of Caracalla, where more than 1,600 people could bathe at the same time. These complexes demonstrate how Roman architecture integrated technology, luxury, and community life.

🛁 Roman Thermal Bath Houses

The baths were not just places to bathe. They included palestras for exercise, libraries for reading, gardens with sculptures, shops, restaurants, and meeting rooms. They were true community centers that combined sports, culture, and recreation in one complex.

RELIGIOUS TYPOLOGY: THE ROMAN TEMPLE

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The Pantheon of Rome🏛️

The Pantheon, rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 128 AD, was a temple dedicated to all the gods. Its design symbolizes the universe: a large cylindrical drum covered by a hemispherical dome 43.4 meters in diameter, with an equal interior height, allowing for the inscription of a perfect sphere within. In the center of the dome is the 9-meter oculus, the only source of natural light, which acts like a sundial by progressively illuminating the interior surfaces. The construction used concrete of varying densities to lighten the dome and reinforce the walls, and was supported by a system of eight large pillars. The building combines monumentality, pure geometry, and construction technique, becoming the most accomplished example of the Roman power to "enclose space" and one of the most influential works in the history of architecture.

URBAN LIFE AND POLITICS

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The Roman Forum 🏛️

The Forum was the political, religious, judicial, and commercial heart of Rome. It is a strictly ordered space, surrounded by (closed) porticoes, dominated by a temple in the background. The Forum Romanum, located at the foot of the Palatine Hill, was considered the caput mundi or "head of the world." Over the centuries, its boundaries were expanded with new imperial forums, such as Julius Caesar's rectangular and orderly Forum Iulium, presided over by a temple to Venus Genetrix, and the Forum Augustum, with the temple of Mars Ultor. These spaces reflect how Roman urban planning combined architecture, power, and religion in a single monumental setting.

Variety of buildings (basic program: no two are alike):

• Basilica (the most important; it housed functions that were previously held outdoors),
• Comitium (for political meetings),
• Curia (for municipal council or senate meetings);
• Macellum (meat market);
• Vegetable market;
• Public baths;
• Theaters;
• Temples in addition to the main one.

The Basilica, civic building of the Forum🏛️

The basilica was one of the most characteristic buildings of the Roman forum. Its main function was to serve as a court of law, offering a covered space where judges, litigants, and the public could participate in legal proceedings. These buildings responded to the need to gather large numbers of people under a single roof, something made possible by Roman advances in large-span roofing. The interior consisted of a large hall divided into naves by rows of columns, generally with one or two apses where the judges were located. In the center of the apse was an altar, a symbol of the emperor's presence, without which justice could not be dispensed. The Basilica Ulpia, built by Trajan in his forum, is a monumental example: it measured more than 100 meters long and had a vast roofed central space, supported by large-span wooden structures. It represents the scale, technique, and organization that distinguished Roman civic architecture.

DOMESTIC TYPOLOGIES:

• VILLAE
• DOMUS
• INSULAE

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🏠 RomanVillae

Villas were the rural residences of the wealthiest Romans, built on the outskirts of cities. In addition to being recreational spaces surrounded by gardens and landscapes, they served a productive function, as they included areas for the production of wine, olive oil, and other agricultural products. Many of them, such as those found in Pompeii and Herculaneum, combined decorative frescoes, open courtyards, and private rooms with workshops and storage rooms, reflecting the wealth and refined lifestyle of the Roman elite.

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🏛️ Hadrian's Villa

The grandest of all was Hadrian's Villa, commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in Tivoli around 118 AD. This sprawling complex was conceived as a true palace-city, with grottoes, ponds, pools, fountains, gardens, libraries, thermal baths, temples, and banquet halls. Inspired by the models of Hellenistic courts, the villa occupied more than 120 hectares (six times the size of the Querétaro Campus of Tec de Monterrey) and featured an unprecedented architectural program, where landscape and architecture fused to symbolize the emperor's power and cultural sophistication.

🏠 Domus : the roman town house

The domus was the typical dwelling of wealthy families in Roman cities. These houses were completely closed off from the street and organized around open courtyards that provided light and ventilation. Their design sought symmetry and privacy, while expressing the family's social position. The entrance led first to the vestibule, followed by the atrium, a central courtyard with the compluvium on the roof and the impluvium on the ground, where rainwater was collected. Beyond this was the tablinium, the owner's reception room, and further back the peristyle, another courtyard surrounded by columns that often included a garden. The triclinium (dining room) and private rooms were arranged around these spaces. Some domus, such as the House of Pansa in Pompeii, occupied almost an entire city block. In addition to the main residence, they included shops and workshops that generated income for the owner, demonstrating how domestic life, the economy, and the city were intertwined in ancient Rome.

🏢 Insulae: Roman popular housing

Insulae were Roman rental buildings or houses (apartments) where the majority of the urban population lived. They were three- or four-story buildings, although some reached up to five, before Nero established limits to prevent collapse. They were made of brick and concrete and could occupy entire city blocks in cities like Rome and Ostia. The ground floor usually housed workshops and shops, while the upper floors contained small dwellings with fewer amenities, often unsafe due to the poor quality of the materials. In contrast to the luxurious domus and villas, insulae reflected the daily life of the middle and lower classes in a crowded urban environment.

Siguen siendo esclavos, ¡qué tristeza! ¡Hay que intentar de nuevo!

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Excelente respuesta: ya podemos llamarlos "signifier" mis queridxs alumxs :)

El Siginifier llevaba el signum de la Centuria, el emblema militar de la unidad, rematado en forma de mano o asta y decorado con philarae (medallones).

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¡Qué buena respuesta! Se merecen un ascenso a "vexillarius". Felicidades :)

El Vexillarius era portador del vexillum, que era el estandarte en el que figuraban el nombre y el emblema de la cohorte y que servía no sólo de identificación de la misma, sino para reunir a los hombres en la batalla. Se empleaba tanto en unidades de infantería como de caballería.

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Qué honor poderse llamar "Imaginifer"...

El Imaginifer, era el que portaba la estatuilla del emperador que gobernara en el momento).

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Se ganaron su primer gran honor en la Legión. ¡Ahora son "aquilifer"!

El Aquilifer era el portador del águila de la legión, el símbolo de la misma. Había uno sólo por toda la Legión, y era generalmente un soldado veterano, curtido y premiado por su conducta y valor. Tenía una gran responsabilidad a cuestas, pues si el Águila se perdía en combate significaba una deshonra enorme para la Legión.

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Ahora ya les vamos a pagar, ojalá sepan escribir ;) ¡Qué bien se siente ser "tesserarius"!

El Tesserarius (Cabo de Guardia), era el soldado encargado de las guardias en el campamento. Éstos organizaban y comandaban las guardias nocturnas en campamento. Su nombre proviene de la tessera único equipo diferente al del legionario, una especie de tableta de cera, donde se anotaba el santo y seña del día, para poder entrar al campamento.

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Vamos a hacer resonar las órdenes, ¿están listxs para ser "cornicen"

El Cornicen era el encargado de, través del «cornu o cornum» trasmitir las ordenes a los miles: marcar las cadencias de marcha, marcar las horas y toques durante el campamento (rancho, silencio, fajina, diana, etc.).

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¡Qué maravilla! Su primera responsabilidad de liderazgo: ahora son "decurio"

Comandante de una Turma, o unidad de caballería

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¡Cómo han crecido! ¿Qué se siente que les digan: "Sí, mi "centurio""?

Comandante de Centuria, de las cohortes 2a a la 10ma. Los centuriones eran oficiales muy importantes, considerados la espina dorsal del ejército, encargados del entrenamiento, la disciplina, la administración y el liderazgo en batalla.

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¡Bien ganado el honor de ser el "Centurio Pilus Prior"!

Un centurión Pilus Prior era el centurión de mayor rango dentro de una legión romana, al mando de la primera centuria de la primera cohorte, que era la unidad de élite del ejército. Este puesto de gran autoridad y responsabilidad requería no solo habilidades de liderazgo en el campo de batalla, sino también dotes diplomáticas y políticas, lo que lo convertía en una figura clave y veterana en la estructura militar romana.

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¡Qué lejos han llegado, mis queridxs "Centurio Primi Ordine"!

Un Centurio Primi Ordine (del latín Primi Ordines, "de primera clase") era un centurión veterano y de alto rango dentro de la primera cohorte de una legión romana. Estos oficiales, que constituían la élite de los centuriones, poseían una gran experiencia y autoridad, y su posición era fundamental para el éxito del ejército en la batalla, sirviendo como la columna vertebral de la legión y liderando con valentía desde el frente.

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¡Por todos los dioses! ¿de verdad ya son "Centurios Primus Pilus"?

Un Centurio Primus Pilus era el centurión de mayor rango en una legión romana, el comandante de la primera centuria de la primera cohorte y el soldado más veterano y experimentado. Este puesto representaba la cúspide de la carrera de un centurión, con gran autoridad, un salario elevado y la posibilidad de acceder a la clase social ecuestre tras su retiro.

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Mucho cuidado: esto es lo más alto a que pueden aspirar los plebeyos: ser "Praefectus Castrorum"

El Praefectus castrorum generalmente era un soldado veterano con mucha experiencia como un Centurión Primus Pilus retirado, elevado al rango ecuestre y reenganchado como evocatus. Por lo tanto era un puesto abierto a todas las clases sociales romanas (desde la clase baja se podía llegar a este cargo y así entrar en clases sociales más privilegiadas).

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¡Qué valientes! Ahora todos los conocerán como "Tribuno Angusticlavii"

Un tribuno angusticlavio era un oficial militar de menor rango en una legión romana, elegido entre la orden ecuestre, una clase social de ciudadanos romanos de menor estatus que los senadores. Su nombre, que significa "tribuno de rayas estrechas", se debe a la banda morada estrecha en sus túnicas, que los distinguía del tribuno laticlavio. Cumplían funciones de estado mayor y podían comandar cohortes auxiliares, ascendiendo a cargos de liderazgo de la caballería.

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Vaya que han sido protegidos por Júpiter: ahora serán llamados "Tribuno Laticlaviu"

Un tribuno laticlavio era un joven senador que servía como subjefe de una legión romana, un puesto de segundo al mando después del legado de la legión, y se distinguía por su túnica con una ancha franja de púrpura. Este puesto, creado por Augusto, era el primer paso en el cursus honorum (la carrera política) y era suprimido por el emperador Aureliano.

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Nada menos que el emperador les ha nombrado "Legatus Legionis". Enhorabuena :)

Un Legatus legionis era el comandante militar de una legión romana durante la época del Imperio, equivalente a un general moderno, nombrado por el emperador y proveniente generalmente de la clase alta romana. Su rol implicaba la dirección estratégica, la planificación de campañas, el liderazgo y la administración de la legión, además de ser el representante de esta ante el gobierno.

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"Imperator, imperator, imperator", ¡les aclamamos! La eternidad les aguarda

"Imperator" es una palabra latina que originalmente significaba "comandante" o "general", y se refería a un magistrado con el mando de un ejército, poseedor del imperium. Con el tiempo, bajo el Imperio romano, se convirtió en un título para el soberano, el "emperador", un gobernante masculino o femenino de un imperio que tiene un dominio sobre otros soberanos o grandes príncipes.