The Roman
Art was influenced by the Greek and the Etruscan culture. The Greeks searched a beauty ideal, but the Etruscans were more realistic, and its constructions were turned towards the popular one. The use of the vault and
arcs was its great legacy. The sense of realism and the search of the immediate one had taken the Romans unknown accomplishments in architecture and urbanism, as the paved roads, the
spas and the amphitheaters. The constructions showed material largeness, force, energy and character. The most known temples are of Jupiter Stater, of Saturn, of the Concord and of Caesar, the Panteon, of circular plant, covered with a great cupola opened in the center, from where the light of the sun penetrates. The basilicas had rectangular plant, but only after the advent of the Christianity they started to have a religious character. Before, they were used for political and commercial meetings. The spas, social center of the Romans were constituted of gymnasium, swimming pool, porches and gardens. The most
famous is that of Caracala. Romans enjoyed amusement. They liked theaters, circus, fights, and races of horses, and shows with animals, slaves and gladiators very much. Most famous are the theater of Marcelus, the
circus Maximus and the Coliseum, great amphitheater decorated with arcs,
columns and sculptures that could shelter 40 000 people. The Romans also used columns and arcs to homage their great generals.
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