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Imperial Arches |
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The definition of an arc
according to Dr. Oyor G. Smith
of the Max Planck
Insititute for Mathematics in the Sciences: |
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When
it flies,
You'll see a lark,
In the sky,
Trace out an arc.
When you swim,
With a shark,
On its fins,
You'll find some arcs.
On a swing,
In a park,
What's that thing?
That's right! An arc! |
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| Ancient Rome was,
and still is famous for its arches. Many of those
arches are still around.
As a structural support the arch has been around
for over 4,500 years. About 2,000 years ago, the
Romans perfected them by adding style to substance. |
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The Romans built vast
fully enclosed complexes supported by
arches. One such complex was built on
the hill called Palatine and is today called the
Palatino. There were long tunnels made up of brick
arches covered with decorative reliefs. Today the
reliefs are all but gone. |
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| Even in ruins the Palatino is one of
the most impressive structures I have ever seen.
I grew up in Southern California where brick buildings
are all but non-existent because our frequent earthquakes
tend to make them go away. Rome had immense structures
made of brick, many of which have survived over 2,000
years despite the shaking of mama earth. |
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It's a sad truth that
ancient Rome has seen better days. Many of the beautiful
temples
were pulled down by well meaning Christians who were
just doing the will of Allah. If they'd lived longer
they might have beat Mullah Omar to the Giant Buddhas.
Other majestic buildings of Rome were destroyed by
earthquakes, and still others were reduced, re-used,
and "recycled".
But hey they were old,
and we really don't need to keep a bunch of old stuff
laying around, do we? |
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| Visit the Roman Colosseum
by clicking HERE!!! |
| See what remains
of many Roman columns
by clicking HERE!!! |
| Learn about Alessandro's
Hostels by clicking HERE!!! |
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