Though they did not invent it, the Romans are widely recognized for perfecting the arch. They were also famous for their column designs and for integrating columns into building design as a means of support. The Romans are also responsible for the widespread use of concrete and marble as a building materials.
The Romans were particularly well known for the construction of aqueducts and amphitheaters. Roman aqueducts in particular are still used as models for the construction of modern-day bridges. They also invented the basilica. Basilicas, as imagined by the Romans, were not churches but merely spaces for large gatherings. Roman homes made use of stucco and painted interior walls.
The Pantheon is one of the most famous examples of Roman architecture. It is renowned for its dome, which relies solely on its design to support the massive rounded structure. Since marble was sturdy and readily available, the Romans used it regularly when building. Once Romans realized that concrete, a material they used primarily as a filler, provided ample support for modern structures, they began using it widely as a building material. They began constructing with concrete blocks, which they figured out were much more economical than the marble that they had previously favored.