While it may seem that the scope of modern construction with its 'pillars' of concrete and glass has taken the progressive path, the vast ambit of ancient architecture had already traversed the advanced route by the sheer design prowess of some incredible buildings and structures (a few of which were even built more than 5,000…
Months ago, we talked about the Roman aptitude for engineering by mentioning Istanbul's gargantuan open-air cistern that had later been transformed into a full-fledged football stadium. And now, archaeologists have dug up what might probably be the largest Roman water basin ever found, this time in the civilization's mother city of Rome itself. Excavated some…
Unlike other ancient theaters, the oval-shaped, freestanding amphitheater was a Roman invention. And, as the jewel in the crown of such imposing Roman-made architectural specimens, the Colosseum holds its head high with the towering elliptical tiers that rise to 180 ft (55 m) from the heart of the city. From those very seats, the 'bloodthirsty'…
Touted as the 'Sunken Garden' (Çukurbostan) during Ottoman times, and currently known as the Karagümrük stadyumu (or Karagümrük stadium), there is an expansive area in modern-day Istanbul that has a bit of exalted history to it. How so? Well, as it turns out, the football stadium is actually an extant specimen that aptly demonstrates the…