An Architectural Voyage – Part 3

Rome

Rome, aka the Eternal City, is basically history’s superstar! It’s where the Roman Empire began, shaping much of Western culture, politics, and architecture. Over the centuries, Rome has been at the centre of everything from power and culture to religion and innovation.

Rome’s origins are part myth, part archaeology. The famous legend says Romulus founded the city in 753 BCE after a bit of sibling drama where he killed his brother Remus (yikes!). While that makes for a juicy story, Rome likely started as small farming communities coming together near the Palatine Hill along the Tiber River—a smart spot to control trade.

Rome’s first chapter was as a monarchy, ruled by kings. During this era, the Etruscans played a huge role in shaping Roman culture, from religion to urban design. The last king, Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown (goodbye monarchy), paving the way for the Roman Republic.

Roman architecture was all about pushing the limits. They borrowed from the Greeks but added their own spin, using arches to build massive aqueducts, bridges, and public buildings that were both sturdy and stunning. Their secret weapon? Roman concrete! This stuff was super strong and could be moulded into different shapes, allowing for creative designs and huge structures.

Romans were master planners and engineers.

• Forums: The hub of city life—like the Roman Forum in Rome, where all the action happened.
• Aqueducts: They built impressive systems to bring fresh water to cities. One famous example is the Pont du Gard in France.
• Roads: Roman roads were key for expanding the empire, leading to the phrase: all roads lead to Rome.
• Amphitheatres: Think Colosseum, where tens of thousands gathered for gladiator games.
• Public Baths: Romans loved their baths, which were not just for hygiene but also socialising. The Baths of Caracalla are a grand example.
• Temples: Mixing Greek columns with their own vaulted ceilings, Roman temples like the Pantheon were architectural masterpieces.
• Basilicas: Large public spaces that inspired later Christian church designs, like the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine.
• The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome, located between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. It was erected in 315 CE by the Roman Senate to commemorate Emperor Constantine I’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, which was a decisive moment in Constantine’s rise to power.

Romans knew how to live. Wealthy folks had fancy homes called domus, while the lower class often crammed into apartment buildings (insulae). And if you had serious cash, you might own a villa—your personal countryside paradise with all the luxuries.

The Romans left a massive architectural footprint. Their designs, especially arches, domes, and the use of concrete, influenced everything from Renaissance to modern architecture. And their city planning? Still shaping how we design cities today.

Room – Rome 100 BCE

Builder and Historian Squeeky (also known as Jazz) has created an incredible reconstruction of Ancient Rome, particularly focusing on the Forum Romanum. This ambitious project, spanning over three years, offers a stunning, historically accurate glimpse into one of the most significant spaces in Roman history. This builder has bridged the gap between history and 3DX, allowing her and her guests to explore ancient Rome in ways that we can only have imagined before. It’s an outstanding blend of scholarship and digital artistry.

Depicting Rome in 100 BCE, every structure, column, and detail in this 3DX recreation has been meticulously crafted, reflecting the builder’s deep passion for Roman history and architecture. The use of historical texts, archaeological findings, and artistic depictions has guided this reconstruction, making it not only visually impressive but also educationally valuable.

This room offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about Roman civilisation, culture, and daily life in a highly engaging way. Visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Roman architecture, politics, and society, enhancing their appreciation of how Rome shaped the world. All this alongside Squeaky’s wit and passion that shines even brighter than the impressive build itself.

Roman architecture has indeed left an indelible mark on history, and its influence continues to inspire modern designs, both in physical construction and in virtual recreations like 3dx. Reconstructions allow builders to experiment with various aspects of Roman architecture, ranging from stylised interpretations to highly detailed, historically accurate reconstructions. 

Life in Rome was a blend of opulence and hardship, depending on one’s social standing, but it was always marked by the city’s monumental architecture, vibrant public life, and the far-reaching influence of Roman law, culture, and politics. 3DX has a variety of rooms that are built to depict Rome and the Roman way of life.

Room – Ancient Rome

The Ancient Rome room in 3DX is an immersive, historically inspired role playing room that focuses on the more infamous aspects of Rome’s history, the indulgent lifestyles, decadence and sexual behaviours associated with certain periods of Roman Society.

Visitors are encouraged to select a specific role within the ancient Roman society, such as citizens, nobles, gladiators, slaves or even merchants. Each role comes with its own responsibilities and interactions, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic social environment.

Ancient Rome particularly during the late republic and empire is often stereotyped for its excesses, these included lavish feasts, hedonistic festivals and scandals involving emperors and elites.  Roman society had a complex attitude towards sexuality, with a significant focus on power dynamics. Especially between ‘free’ citizens and ‘enslaved’ individuals. 

Ancient Rome is the perfect room to RP these exciting aspects of Roman life and history. The setting transports users back to the classical era, offering a richly detailed environment where they can explore, socialise, and immerse themselves in Roman culture. From the architecture of temples, baths, and forums to the day-to-day interactions between characters, everything is designed to feel true to the period.

These reconstructions, whether focused on artistic expression or academic precision, play a crucial role in preserving and celebrating the legacy of Roman architectural mastery in the digital age. The recreation of ancient Rome in virtual worlds like 3DX serves multiple purposes.They help to preserve the memory and grandeur of ancient Rome. For scholars, enthusiasts, and learners, these reconstructions offer a way to experience ancient architecture that may no longer exist in its original form or has been damaged over the centuries.

Do you know about other builds inspired by ancient Rome that you’d like to see featured in the gazette? Let us know.

By Eskarina