Build Like a Roman

What were Roman floors like?

We know about their mosaics, but what about clay tile? Stone slabs, mortar floors or floorboards?

Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWj65iAl9ce/

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Glossary for this episode

• pavimentum → floor / pavement (the visible finished surface)
• pavire → to beat down / ram / compact
• statumen → foundation layer of large stones
• rudus → compacted rubble layer bound with lime
• nucleus → fine levelling layer (lime + crushed pottery/aggregate)
• contignatio (contignationes) → timber floor structure / framed floor system
• tignum → beam / timber
• tessera (tesserae) → small cubes used in mosaics
• opus tessellatum → standard mosaic work (medium tesserae)
• opus vermiculatum → fine mosaic work (very small tesserae, high detail)
• emblema (emblemata) → central mosaic panel (often pre-made and inserted)
• opus sectile → cut-stone flooring (shaped pieces fitted together)
• opus spicatum → herringbone brick/tile pattern
• basoli → large stone paving blocks (often basalt, used for streets/heavy use)
• opus signinum → lime + crushed terracotta with occasional inserts
• cocciopesto → lime + crushed terracotta (no inserts)
• opus → “work” / construction method (e.g. stonework, brickwork)

Sources:

Vitruvius, De Architectura

• Primary source for Roman floor construction (Book VII, pavements; layered systems: statumen, rudus, nucleus).

Pliny the Elder, Natural History

• References to opus signinum and crushed ceramic flooring materials.

Roger Ling, Roman Painting

• Includes discussion of decorative interiors and mosaic techniques.

David S. Neal, Roman Mosaics in Britain

• Key work on mosaic types, techniques, and regional variation.

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What was Roman window glass like?

Well, to start with it had bubbles in it, you couldn't really see through and it was expensive.

Listen to this episode to learn about Roman glass, what was it, where it was made, and by whom.

Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWW4wx2lzbW/

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Sources:

Archaeological Studies

• Ian Freestone (University College London): Freestone is widely considered the world's leading authority on the chemical provenance of Roman glass. 
• Patrick Degryse, Glass-making in Antiquity: Isotope Analysis (2014): The definitive scientific text on using strontium and neodymium isotopes to track Roman glass back to specific Mediterranean beaches.
• Allen, D. (2002), Roman Window Glass: A specialized study that looks specifically at the architectural use of glass. 

Ancient Historical Sources

• Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia (Natural History), Book 36: This is the most famous source. Pliny describes the accidental discovery of glass by Phoenician merchants on the River Belus
• Strabo, Geographica: Writing in the early 1st century AD, strabo notes the unique properties of the sand to be melted into glass, highlighting the Levant's industrial dominance.
• Diocletian Edict on Maximum Prices (301 AD): A massive document of regulated prices across the empire.
• Shipwreck Evidence
• The Embiez Shipwreck (France): A 3rd-century wreck that was carrying nearly two tons of raw glass chunks and blocks from the East.
• The Grado Shipwreck (Adriatic Sea): Famous for carrying a massive cargo of cullet (broken glass) meant for recycling. 

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Want to know what a 'Party wall' actually is? Give this a listen.

This week, the Build Like a Roman Podcast is looking at Roman Wattle and Daub, Opus Craticium. A building style that was probably for more widespread than we'd think.

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Photos for this episode on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWBM5Ftl46c/

This Episode's Translations:

• Opus Caementicium – Roman concrete
• Opus Craticium – Timber-frame wall with wattle or lath and plaster
• Craticii – Woven branch framework (wattle)
• Harundo – Reed used for lathing
• Assulae / Asseres – Wooden lath strips
• Tector – Plasterer
• Trulla – Plasterer’s trowel
• Trullissatio – First coat of plaster
• Faber Tignarius – Carpenter
• Paries Communis – Party wall (shared wall)
• Ambitus – Passage between neighbouring houses
• Insula – Roman apartment building
• Partire – “To divide,” origin of the word party in party wall

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

ktwsba7h

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This week, the Build Like a Roman Podcast is about Roman plumbing, from the infrastructure to the delivery of it and the materials used.

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Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVycL_zl1zl/

This Episodes Translations:

Aquaeductus = water pipe or water tube

Cloaca Maxima = Great Sewer

Curator Aquarum = Water commissioner

Libratores = Surveyor

aqua sub pressione = Pressure engineering

castellum aquae divisorium = water distribution terminal

quinaria = A measurement of water

Furtum aquae = Water theft

Vitium =  a fault, defect, or point of illegal tampering in the system

Plumbum = Lead

Aes = Bronze

Tubuli fictiles = Terracotta pipes

Redemptor = a type of combined contractor, and project manager

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that the Romans - and others, such as the Greeks - used asbestos as a woven fibre?

They valued its fireproof nature and used it accordingly. They may also be the first culture to have recorded using PPE!

☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearoman

Build Like a Roman is a podcast about how the Roman world was built.

Focusing on materials, craft, and construction, each episode

explores the practical realities of Roman building — from stone, brick, and

mortar to the organisation of labour and technical skill behind surviving

structures.

Short, focused episodes introduce core building materials before

diving deeper into how buildings were made, maintained, and understood in the

Roman world.

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

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Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why bury a Million nails?

The Romans used a wide variety of metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous.

Iron, lead, bronze, brass, tin and copper were all commonly used by the Romans.

For structural connections, plumbing, door handles, decorative elements or any other practical use, in or for the home, the Romans had a solution!

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This Episodes Instagram image link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU6MQ-JjVgl/

• Ferrum → Iron
• Plumbum → Lead
• Stannum → Tin
• Aes → Copper alloy (bronze or brass)
• Cuprum → Copper
• Cadmia → Zinc ore (used to make brass)
• Argentum → Silver
• Aurum → Gold
• Clavus → Nail
• Fibula → Fastener / clasp (sometimes a clamp)
• Fistula → Pipe (usually lead)
• Aes coronarium → Thin decorative bronze sheet
• Aerugo → Verdigris (green corrosion on copper alloys)

Note:

The Romans did not separate “bronze” and “brass” the way we do today. Both were usually called aes — meaning copper alloy.

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is looks at the Romans use of timber, be it structural, joinery or temporary. Timber is somewhat of a forgotten material by most people who looking at Roman archaeology, mainly as there's so little of it left. This week we aim to give Roman timber, a little more of the limelight.

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Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUq9pxzjeyO/

Term = Definition

Materia: General term for timber (as opposed to lignum, which usually referred to firewood).

•   Abies: Fir. The primary wood for long-span roofing due to its straight grain and high strength-to-weight ratio.

•   Quercus: Oak. Valued for its density and used for "wet-work" or heavy load-bearing sills.

•   Larix: Larch. Highly prized for its natural resistance to fire and rot; often used in maritime or bridge engineering.

•   Contignatio: A timber floor or ceiling assembly. This refers to the entire system of joists and decking.

•   Tignum: A general term for a structural beam or log.

•   Trabs: A large main beam, typically horizontal, used to support secondary joists.

•   Statumen: The secondary layer of a floor; cross-battens or "stiffeners" laid over the main beams.

•   Scandula: A wooden shingle. Used for roofing before the widespread adoption of terracotta tiles (tegulae).

•   Opus Craticium: A timber-frame construction method. It involves a wooden lattice (wattle) filled with mortar or clay (daub).

  Oak (Quercus): The "Iron" of the Roman forest. Used for ground-contact sills and heavy-load lintels. Cato advises cutting oak only when the sap is down (winter) to prevent rot.

  Fir (Abies): The backbone of Roman roofs. Sourced from the Apennines. Vitruvius (De Architectura, Book 2.9) praises Fir for its lightness and stiffness, essential for long-span trusses.

  Larch (Larix): The "Fireproof" wood. Vitruvius notes its resistance to fire and rot, making it the premier choice for bridge pilings and high-moisture 

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the Build Like A Roman Podcast episode looks at the Roman use of Lime mortars, Pozzolans, a volcanic ash which modified the nature of lime, and how they produced concrete.

The focus on this episode is lime from calcium based limestone. We'll look at limes derived from Dolomitic and Magnesium in the future. There deserve their own episode, given the difference between them and calcium limes. For one, they need vastly extended slaking time compared to calcium to avoid post construction expansion and other problems.

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Photos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUaWnF2DfeT

The Episodes definitions:

Opus signinum = Hydraulic flooring/render with crushed pottery in lime binder. Key in baths and water features; related to opus signinum.

Opus Caementicium = Concrete (lime + aggregate)

Binder – The cementitious component that coats and glues aggregate grains, hardening by chemical reaction and/or carbonation.

Mortar – A plastic mix (binder + aggregate + water, sometimes additives) used for bedding and pointing masonry; hardens to a rigid, adhesive matrix.

Plaster – As a noun, a finishing material for interior (and sometimes exterior) surfaces; as a verb, the act of applying a plaster/render coat.

Stucco / Render – Historically imprecise. Can be lime-, gypsum- or cement‑based; composition and regional usage vary

Lime - Non-hydraulic lime (Air lime): Produced by burning relatively pure limestones. Sets slowly by carbonation. Common in Europe, Middle East, and India until the late 19th century.

Lime - Hydraulic lime (Water lime): Produced from impure limestones containing clay/silica. Hardens under water. Widely used in Roman and later European construction.

Gypsum - Used for internal plasters and decorative finishes. Rapid setting but not durable in damp conditions.

Portland Cement

- Patented in 1824 (Joseph Aspdin, Leeds).

- By late 19th century, became dominant due to strength and speed of setting.

- Conservation issue: often too rigid and dense compared to historic lime mortars, leading to damage in traditional masonry.

Sands

- Siliceous sands: durable, sharp, but chemically inert.

- Calcareous sands: softer, more chemically compatible with lime binders, but less durable.

- Volcanic sands: reactive, good pozzolanic properties.

Plasticity – Ability to undergo permanent deformation without cracking

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Build Like A Roman Podcast episode is about fired clay, for bricks and roofs.

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Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUS--yyjTTR/

The Episodes Translations:

Opus vittatum mixtum (listatum) = Alternating brick and stone courses

Opus mixtum= Combination of stone and brick facings

Opus testaceum = Concrete faced with brick/tiles

Opus vittatum / listatum = Banded tufa/brick

Opus latericium / testaceum = Brick‑faced concrete

Opus mixtum (reticulatum mixtum) = Mixed brick‑reticulate

Pedalis = One‑foot tile/brick

Sesquipedalis = 1½‑foot brick/tile

Bessalis = Two‑thirds brick/tile

Tegula = Flat pan tile

Imbrex = Cover tile

Later / laterculus = Thin wall tile

Lateres Crudi = Unfired bricks

Lateres Cocti = fire bricks

Reading materials:

Roman building: materials and techniques, Adam, JP (1994)

Roman Building Techniques, Rook, T (2013)

Roman Builders, Taylor, R (2003)

Build Like a Roman is a podcast about how the Roman world was built.

Focusing on materials, craft, and construction, each episode

explores the practical realities of Roman building — from stone, brick, and

mortar to the organisation of labour and technical skill behind surviving

structures.

Short, focused episodes introduce core building materials before

diving deeper into how buildings were made, maintained, and understood in the

Roman world.

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rome began with houses of mud-brick. Then came stone.

This week, the Build Like A Roman Podcast introductory episode is about Stone, in particular Tuff, Travertine and Marble. While not used uniformly across the Roman empire, they were ubiquitous in the City of Rome and the surrounding region.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearoman

Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUOEesoiHfq/

Build Like a Roman is a podcast about how the Roman world was built.

Focusing on materials, craft, and construction, each episode

explores the practical realities of Roman building — from stone, brick, and

mortar to the organisation of labour and technical skill behind surviving

structures.

Short, focused episodes introduce core building materials before

diving deeper into how buildings were made, maintained, and understood in the

Roman world.

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Term = Definition

Tuff = A volcanic rock (pyroclastic) formed from consolidated ash and debris. Easy to cut allowing for fast construction.

Tufa = A sedimentary limestone formed by mineral precipitation from freshwater springs, much softer and less durable than volcanic tuff.

Travertine = A hard, dense limestone with high compressive strength, formed in hot springs.

Marble = A metamorphic rock (recrystallized limestone) that takes a high polish.

Basalt = A hard, durable volcanic rock that was nearly indestructible but very difficult to cut.

Limestone = A broad category of sedimentary rock with varying properties.

Sandstone = A sedimentary rock whose strength varies based on its composition. Darker varieties are sometimes called "brownstone."

Vernacular Building = The principle of constructing buildings using materials that are readily available locally, which often determined stone choice and led to regional traditions.

Veneer / Revetment = Thin slabs of decorative stone (usually marble) used as a non-structural cladding over a cheaper core material to display wealth.

Opus Quadratum = A construction technique using large, rectangular ashlar blocks laid in regular courses without mortar.

Opus Africanum = A regional North African building technique which includes long vertical stone piers.

Ashlar = Precisely cut and dressed stone blocks with regular faces and right-angled corners, used in techniques like opus quadratum.

Lapilli = Latin for "little stones".

Cramps = Metal fasteners used to secure stone blocks or veneer panels together.

For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for

anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman

buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's

typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still

exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity

of the original builders.

There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,

history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction

history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did

the work!

From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!

Hosted by Darren McLean.

Buy me a Coffee

Bluesky

Instagram

Follow:

Acast

Apple

Patreon

Spotify

Music Happy harp 6109353

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.