The Origin of the Roman Basilica

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The Origin of the Roman Basilica
Model of the Basilica Ulpia

• Amanda Mills

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What is a Basilica?

• A basilica is a large, wide rectangular hall,
  roofed overall and divided internally into a
  central section flanked by aisles. At one end
  there would be a raised platform known as the
  tribunal, which would be used for legal
  administration.
• In Roman architecture, a civic building for legal
  and other civic proceedings, rectangular in plan
  with an entrance usually on a long side.

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Floor Plan
Nave A long narrow passage that formed the main
part of the building, lined on either side by the
aisles. Aisle The aisles were located on
either side of the nave. The aisles were set off
by a row of columns. Apse The apse is located
at the end of the basilica. This is where the
raised platform or the tribunal would be
located. Narthex and transept are parts of the
basilica that are added to the churches that have
the basilica floor plan.
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Floor Plan

• Entrance was located at one end or at the center
  of a side
• Some basilicas actually seem to resemble a stoa
  with extended colonnades forming one of their
  sides
• Roofs are supported on wooden beams across the
  internal colonnades that divide the nave and
  aisles

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First Known Basilica

• The origin of the basilica is unknown although it
  is believed that the first actual example of the
  basilica is the Basilica Porcia built in the
  second quarter of the second century BC.
• Built by politician Marcus Porcius Cato
• Does not exist anymore
• Could have been of Greek origin. The name is
  Greek and points to the Hellenistic kingdom
  although no examples have been found in Greek
  cities.

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Uses of the Basilica

• General purpose building
• A place for commerce
• Administration of justice
• Ideal building because it protected the people
  from the heat of the summer

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Basilica Julia

• Initiated by Julius Caeser
• Destroyed by a fire shortly after its completion
  around 12 B.C but rebuilt over the course of
  twenty years after.
• Used to house the Centumviral law courts.
• Had a central space where the courts would be
  held, flanked by double aisles and at the back
  side it has a row of inward-facing offices.

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Basilica Julia cont.

• The front has a series of arcaded openings from
  the northern aisle.
• The Façade (front of the Basilica) was made of
  marble
• The whole structure was arcaded on the inside
  with an upper floor gallery overlooking the
  central space.

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Basilica Julia
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Model of the Basilica Julia
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Basilica Aemelia

• Originally built in the second century BC by
  Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and Marcus Fulvius
  Nobilior both censors of Rome.
• A central space flanked by aisles divided by
  columns that is two stories.
• There was an upper gallery with a wood roof
• Rebuilt in the time of Augustus after it was
  destoyed by a fire.
• It was destroyed again in the fifth century by
  the Goths and not reconstructed. Traces of the
  fire can still be seen today in the remains of
  the marble floor from copper coins that melted
  into the floor and the oxidation has left green
  marks.

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Basilica Aemelia
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Basilica Aemelia
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Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

• Concrete basilica with vaulted roofs made of
  brick and concrete
• Nave is separated from the aisles by large
  concrete piers that support the cross vaulted
  roof rather than the traditional rows of columns.
• Started by Maxentius, finished by Constantine in
  the early 300s ad

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Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
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Basilica Ulpia

• Located in the market of the Trajan
• Largest and most lavish in Rome
• Nave with colonnaded aisles lit by a clerestory
• The roof is covered by bronze tiles
• Built by Apollodorus of Damascus

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Model of Basilica Ulpia
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Basilica Ulpia
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Roman Basilica and Christianity

• Constantine converted Rome to Christianity using
  the edict of Milan and began to build churches
  in the 200s ad.
• The churches resembled the Basilica and the term
  Basilica began to refer to large and important
  churches.
• The floor plan of the Basilica was ideal due to
  the large central area (nave) and the two aisles
  on either side.
• Church closest to resembling a basilica is Saint
  Sernin in France.

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Comparison of Floor plans
Saint Peters Basilica
Roman Basilica
Saint Sernin
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Bibliography

• Carr, Karen. "Roman Basilicas." 16 Apr. 2007.
  Portland State University. 20 Oct. 2008
  lthttp//www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/archit
  ecture/basilicas.htmgt.
• Seindal, René. "Basilica Julia." 06 Aug. 2003. 20
  Oct. 2008 lthttp//sights.seindal.dk/sight/165_basi
  lica_julia.htmlgt.
• "The Forum." Basilica Julia, Basilica Aemelia. 20
  Oct. 2008 lthttp//intranet.grundel.nl/thinkquest/u
  itgelicht.htmlgt.
• Tomlinson, Rochard. From Mycenae to
  Constantinople The Evolution of the Ancient
  City. Great Britian Routledge, 1992.