Description
Book SynopsisIn this study, Marcello Mogetta examines the origins and early dissemination of concrete technology in Roman Republican architecture. Framing the genesis of innovative building processes and techniques within the context of Rome''s early expansion, he traces technological change in monumental construction in long-established urban centers and new Roman colonial cites founded in the 2nd century BCE in central Italy. Mogetta weaves together excavation data from both public monuments and private domestic architecture that have been previously studied in isolation. Highlighting the organization of the building industry, he also explores the political motivations and cultural aspirations of patrons of monumental architecture, reconstructing how they negotiated economic and logistical constraints by drawing from both local traditions and long-distance networks. By incorporating the available evidence into the development of concrete technology, Mogetta also demonstrates the contributions of
Trade Review'… [a] stimulating work … the bold thesis will inspire much discussion, in no small part because it rests on a keen understanding of the evidence … [Mogetta's] efforts deserve broad readership and serious engagement.' Seth Bernard, American Journal of Archaeology
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Deconstructing Roman Concrete; 3. A New Date for Concrete in Rome; 4. A View from the Suburbium; 5. Building Samnite Pompeii; 6. Colonial Networks; 7 Conclusion.
