{{Short description|Building techniques in Ancient Rome}} [[File:Anfiteatro romano di Ancona - particolare.jpeg|thumb|Roman masonry on the amphitheatre of Ancona, Italy]] '''Roman masonry''', sometimes also called '''Roman stonework,''' describes the different building techniques made out of bricks and stones in Ancient Rome.<ref>Christoph Höcker, [https://doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e726970 ''Masonry''] in Brill's New Pauly Online (Kissing 2006), ISBN 1574-9347.</ref>
== Typology == The Latin word ''opus'' translates into “work” and in the more narrow sense to the meaning of masonry, construction technique, or construction material.
=== Masonry === *Opus africanum: A form of ashlar masonry, characterized by pillars of vertical blocks of stone alternating with horizontal blocks, filled in with smaller blocks in between *Opus caementicium (Roman concrete): Concrete-like material for cast or shell walls<ref>Heinz-Otto, [https://doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e832730 ''Opus caementicium''], in Brill's New Pauly Online (Cologne 2006), ISBN 1574-9347.</ref> *Opus emplectum: Double-walled masonry with outer and inner stone layers and cast core *Opus incertum / opus antiquum: Cast masonry with irregular and randomly placed uncut stones *Opus isodomum: perfectly cut, completely regular squared ashlar blocks of equal height, and sometimes same length. *Opus latericium / opus testaceum: Cast masonry core with a brick facing *Opus listatum / opus vittatum: Combination masonry with alternating brick and narrow stone layers; brick tie connects layers. *Opus mixtum / opus compositum / opus vagecum: Mixed masonry combining brick layers with other techniques (incertum, reticulatum, vittatum) *Opus quadratum: Masonry of regular, rectangular stone blocks *Opus reticulatum: Cast masonry with net-like pattern of Tuff stones set at 45°, “diamond-shaped” *Opus siliceum: Polygonal masonry consiting of stones that have five or more face angles, in contrast to ashlar blocks which have four rectangular ones. *Opus spicatum: Masonry in herringbone or spike pattern <gallery> File:P6212453 dougga.jpg|Opus africanum File:Ancient Roman concrete vault.jpg|Opus caementicium (Roman concrete) File:Opus Emplectum.jpg|Opus emplectum File:Arcate tempio di Giove.jpg|Opus incertum File:Temple of Augustus, Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola Pollentia Herculanea, Histria (10403942986).jpg|Opus isodomum File:LaterizioDecorazioneViaAppiaAntica.jpg|Opus latericium / opus testaceum File:Visite Hôtel de Cluny 07 juillet 2015 4386.jpg|Opus listatum / opus vittatum File:Ostia antica 134.JPG|Opus mixtum / opus compositum / opus vagecum File:Opus Reticulatum 1.jpg|Opus reticulatum File:ItalyPietrabbondanteTeatroOpPoligonale.jpg|Opus siliceum File:OpusSpicatumRomaMercatiTraianei.jpg|Opus spicatum </gallery>
=== Other styles and traditions === *Opus albarium / opus tectorium: Originally plaster for tempera painting, later used for general white stucco work *Opus craticum (or craticii): Plastered over timber framed wattlework *Opus figlinum: Pavement formed out of squares of brick or terracotta, set flat and on edge alternately *Opus sectile: Materials were cut and inlaid into walls and floors to create motifs or pattern *Opus signinum: Waterproof screed *Opus tessellatum: Technique for Greek and Roman mosaic, made from ''tesserae'' (bigger tesserae than ''opus vermiculatum'') *Opus vermiculatum: Use of tiny ''tesserae'' to emphasise outlines, sometimes in ''opus tessellatum'' <gallery> File:Opus albarium 2.jpg|Opus albarium/opus tectorium File:Casa a Graticcio.jpg|Opus craticum (or craticii) File:Tunisie Néapolis opus figlinum.jpg|Opus figlinum File:Tiger calf Musei Capitolini MC1222.jpg|Opus sectile File:Opus Signinum.JPG|Opus signinum (reconstructed) File:Mosaic ducks Massimo.jpg|Opus tessellatum File:Pompeii - House VIII, 2, 16 - MAN 120177.jpg|Opus vermiculatum </gallery>
== See also == {{Commonscat|Ancient Roman building techniques}} *Roman architectural revolution *Ancient Roman architecture *Byzantine architecture *Ancient Greek architecture
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Ancient Roman architecture lists}} Category:Ancient Roman architectural elements Category:Ancient Roman architecture Category:Architectural history Category:Types of archaeological artefact Category:Masonry