Roman Basilicas

Question 1

Basilica is of great importance to us as

Answer 1

impressive building

origin of christian church

Question 2

forum

Answer 2

symmetrical square or oblong shape enclosed by colonnades on three sidesmand by the basilica on the other

Question 3

they were roofed either with

Answer 3

timber (basilica ulpia) or by vast concrete groin vaults (Basilica Maxentius

Question 4

3 social functions

Answer 4

Trade and commerce
hearing of law suits
civil meetings

Question 5

structure of the basilica

Answer 5

rectangular hall about twice as long as it is wide

Question 6

it was often divided

Answer 6

longitudinally by a colonnade into a nave and 2 aisles

Question 7

At the end of the centre aisle there was

Answer 7

a tribunal (raised platform)

Question 8

Basilica Ulpia

Answer 8

built by emperor Trajan in 112A.D

Question 9

It stands (Basilica Ulpia)

Answer 9

at the end of the forum in front of the Trajan column and 2 adjoining libraries

Question 10

It contains (Basilica Ulpia)

Answer 10

a nave and internal colonnades

Question 11

Basilica Nova of Maxentius

Answer 11

completed by emperor Constantine

Question 12

Consists of (BNM)

Answer 12

Central Nave(25 metres wide)
two side aisles of 3 bays each, interconnected by arched doorways (59metres long)
Apse roofed by a semi circular dome in which there would have been a statue of Constantine

Question 13

interior is (BNM)

Answer 13

remarkable as it is an example of a vault roofed basilica

3 massive cross vault (36m high)

Question 14

The weight of the cross vaults were held by

Answer 14

8 huge piers, they were disguised however by marble corinthian columns

Question 15

the ceiling of the vault and the interior arched bays consists of

Answer 15

octagonal coffered panels

Question 16

the use of the groin vault allowed

Answer 16

the builders to insert clerestory windows as the groin vaults took away weight from the walls