Title: Roman Art and Architecture
Author: Sir Mortimer Wheeler
Date Completed: May 20th, 2025
Reason for reading: To refresh my memory on the works and methods of the seminal builders and architects of western civilization as part of my professional continuing education
What I learned: A book I read 40 years ago in parts, Mortimer Wheeler’s survey of Roman Art and Architecture, feels outdated in many of its views, but remains a valuable text for the sheer amount of work it contains. Particularly, Wheeler asserted that the greatest shift of Roman architecture in building on their Greek predecessors was the development of non-civic architecture such as villas, office buildings, and baths. It also marked the development of interior architecture and design as a discipline unto itself. Finally, the Romans, in developing and expanding the greatest empire the west would see until colonial times, developed a system of infrastructure and engineering that remains standing today in many instances.
My Takeaway: A reminder of the history and roots of all western architecture, Wheeler’s book Isa valuable resource to this day for it’s clear presentation ad copious images, graphics, and diagrams. In particular, as a planner and strategist, the clarity of Roman planning and logic of town and building layout is a remarkable example of how simple solutions can drive great design. It is imperative to understand these works as they still have bearing on the work we do as architects and developers today. Especially at the scale of large projects, as someone like me does.
