Build Like a Roman

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!

This is the trailer for the Build Like a Roman podcast.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!

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/☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearomanGlossary for this episodepavimentum → floor / pavement (the visible finished surface)pavire → to beat down / ram / compactstatumen → foundation layer of large stonesrudus → compacted rubble layer bound with limenucleus → fine levelling layer (lime + crushed pottery/aggregate)contignatio (contignationes) → timber floor structure / framed floor systemtignum → beam / timbertessera (tesserae) → small cubes used in mosaicsopus 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 patternbasoli → large stone paving blocks (often basalt, used for streets/heavy use)opus signinum → lime + crushed terracotta with occasional insertscocciopesto → lime + crushed terracotta (no inserts)opus → “work” / construction method (e.g. stonework, brickwork)Sources:Vitruvius, De ArchitecturaPrimary source for Roman floor construction (Book VII, pavements; layered systems: statumen, rudus, nucleus).Pliny the Elder, Natural HistoryReferences to opus signinum and crushed ceramic flooring materials.Roger Ling, Roman PaintingIncludes discussion of decorative interiors and mosaic techniques.David S. Neal, Roman Mosaics in BritainKey work on mosaic types, techniques, and regional variation.

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/☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearomanSources:Archaeological StudiesIan 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 SourcesPliny 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 BelusStrabo, 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 EvidenceThe 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. 

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.☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearomanPhotos for this episode on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWBM5Ftl46c/This Episode's Translations:Opus Caementicium – Roman concreteOpus Craticium – Timber-frame wall with wattle or lath and plasterCraticii – Woven branch framework (wattle)Harundo – Reed used for lathingAssulae / Asseres – Wooden lath stripsTector – PlastererTrulla – Plasterer’s trowelTrullissatio – First coat of plasterFaber Tignarius – CarpenterParies Communis – Party wall (shared wall)Ambitus – Passage between neighbouring housesInsula – Roman apartment buildingPartire – “To divide,” origin of the word party in party wallFor students of archaeology, history, and art history — and foranyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Romanbuildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that'stypically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these stillexist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativityof the original builders.There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Constructionhistory, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who didthe work!From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!Hosted by Darren McLean.ktwsba7h

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/buildlikearomanBuild Like a Roman is a podcast about how the Roman world was built.Focusing on materials, craft, and construction, each episodeexplores the practical realities of Roman building — from stone, brick, andmortar to the organisation of labour and technical skill behind survivingstructures.Short, focused episodes introduce core building materials beforediving deeper into how buildings were made, maintained, and understood in theRoman world.For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and foranyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Romanbuildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that'stypically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these stillexist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativityof the original builders.There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Constructionhistory, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who didthe work!From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!Hosted by Darren McLean.

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!☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearomanThis Episodes Instagram image link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU6MQ-JjVgl/Roman Metal Terms: Latin → EnglishFerrum → IronPlumbum → LeadStannum → TinAes → Copper alloy (bronze or brass)Cuprum → CopperCadmia → Zinc ore (used to make brass)Argentum → SilverAurum → GoldClavus → NailFibula → Fastener / clasp (sometimes a clamp)Fistula → Pipe (usually lead)Aes coronarium → Thin decorative bronze sheetAerugo → 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 foranyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Romanbuildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that'stypically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these stillexist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativityof the original builders.There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Constructionhistory, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who didthe work!From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!Hosted by Darren McLean.

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.☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearomanPhotos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUq9pxzjeyO/Term = DefinitionMateria: 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 foranyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Romanbuildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that'stypically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these stillexist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativityof the original builders.There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Constructionhistory, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who didthe work!From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!Hosted by Darren McLean.