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With the building of an ancient Roman city comes many tasks. One needs not only various talents to create it, but one needs these talents to be able to work together and assimilate the intended architecture. In the following paper, the various roles and how they must interact to form the city will be discussed. First, and most importantly there is the architect. This person must not only have an understanding of the history and designs of classic architecture, but they must be able to organize with numbers and measurements, allowing them to be as precise as possible. This person will be the key, the nucleus, of the building of the city. This because an architect is the only one who is actually qualified for constructing buildings. The architects and buildings in ancient Rome had effects on all areas of Roman life. From the gathering places of the Amphitheater and the Baths to the holy places of the Temples. This is why the role of the ancient Roman architect was so influential.The other roles, while important, are not centered around the building of the city. Therefore the architect would probably be assigned slightly more difficult tasks in the building, such as: the Circus Maximus, the aqueducts and such.

Next comes the other roles, those that focus more on the history of the empire and not the ground work. The political scientist, who must have a good knowledge of the governmental history of the society. This person must understand modern government and how it evolved from Roman government. With this role, the building of such political structures as the Palace, or the Curia in the Forum. Extending upon this is the anthropologist who must understand Roman society. This role is second in importance only to the architect since the person must integrate their knowledge of Rome's past with the architecture. This is the only other role which it is essential in to understand Roman society.

In the planning of the city, the role of the anthropologist is a very important one. It is his expertise in the culture and society of the people which helps the architect design the proper buildings. He is able to dictate which building styles would best suit the people of the city. Also, the anthropologist is able to predict which buildings would be the most popular in the city. For example, in the city of Rome, temples where citizens could pray were very popular. Thus, more temples were built than any other type of structure. This is all quite important as the people of the city would be very displeased should the buildings not be to their liking. The anthropologist must know the changes in the buildings as a result of society and therefore would be well-suited to construct such pieces as: the Bath Complex, a house, a Roman Amphitheater or a temple.

The final role comes with the mythologist. This person must know the basis for the founding of the city and therefore the underlying principals which make the city function. The mythologist must know about the entertainment since this stems from the legends of the past. Such structures as the theater, the temple or the amphitheater would well-suit the mythologist. All these roles, though varied in importance, must work together if the city is to be truly successful. If they work well then the final outcome would be a well-established city which has a sound government, society and legend, to go with a good foundation.

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Copyright 1999 © Priscilla Kotyk All Rights Reserved




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