The Roman Empire during its peak, covered large areas of western Europe, Africa and even parts of Asia. These range from sprawling Roman cities, Roman additions to ancient Greek cities and small outposts and temples. Outside of Italy especially, there are many less well known ancient sites to explore.
Private houses, even palaces, often emphasized interior courts and gardens rather than the exterior. This tradition was even maintained so far as possible in Roman settlements in northern Europe and Britain, where elaborate arrangements for heating had to be added. At locations in the Mediterranean climate, construction tended to be light and open rather than compact and imposing.
Merida, Los Milagros Aqueduct, Emerita Augusta, UNESCO World Heritage site, Ruta de la Plata, Via de la Plata, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. Credit: UCG/Education Images/Universal Images Group 
Merida, Badajoz Province, Spain. The Roman theatre built in the first century BC. Detail of colonnade behind the stage. Architraves resting on column capitals. Credit: UCG/Education Images/Universal Images Group 
Merida, Badajoz Province, Spain. The first century BC Roman amphitheater. Credit: UCG/Education Images/Universal Images Group 
Romulus and Remus with wolf sculpture, Merida, Extremadura, Spain. Credit: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group 
Modern bridge behind Puente Romano, Roman bridge crossing, Rio Guadiana River, Merida, Extremadura, Spain. Credit: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group 
Roman Theatre, Arles, Provence, France Credit: Alfio Giannotti/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group 
Elevated view of Oval Plaza, Forum, Jerash, Jordan. Credit: Petr SvarcUCG//Universal Images Group 
Theatre. Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Inscriptions. The Capitol. Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Theatre. Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Trifolium villa (brothel). Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Winter thermal baths. Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
The Capitol. Dougga Roman city ruins. Tunisia. Credit: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Asia. Middle East. Jordan. Jerash Archeological City. south gate. Credit: Lanzellotto Antonello/AGF/Universal Images Group 
Asia. Middle East. Jordan. Jerash Archeological City. Credit: Lanzellotto Antonello/AGF/Universal Images Group 
Asia. Middle East. Jordan. Jerash Archeological City. Credit: Lanzellotto Antonello/AGF/Universal Images Group 
Asia. Middle East. Jordan. Jerash Archeological City. Credit: Lanzellotto Antonello/AGF/Universal Images Group 
Les arenes. Roman Amphitheater. Arles. France Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
The Roman theatre, Merida, Badajoz Province, Extremadura, Spain. The theatre was originally built in the years 16 to 15 BC. Credit: Ken Welsh/UCG/Universal Images Group 
The Roman theatre, Merida, Badajoz Province, Extremadura, Spain. The theatre was originally built in the years 16 to 15 BC. Credit: Ken Welsh/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Children in costume outside of the Temple of Diana, Merida, Spain. Credit: Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
The Roman Theatre of Merida, Merida, Spain. Credit: Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
The Roman Theatre of Merida, Merida, Spain. Credit: Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
A detailed statue at the Roman Theatre of Merida, Merida, Spain. Credit: Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group
Most monumental buildings were erected for public use. Many of these buildings were erected by wealthy individuals and given to the community in a form of voluntary tax. Construction was done by state agencies or private contractors, employing enslaved or free labour. Techniques and crafts were highly developed, though machines were simple and powered by people or animals.
The general Roman design and construction practice was for clear composition – the organization of lines, surfaces, masses, and volumes in space.
The Roman Theatre of Merida, Merida, Spain. Credit: Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group 
Morocco, Volubilis, Arch of Caracalla Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Morocco, Volubilis Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Morocco, Volubilis Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Segovia’s Aqueduct Is One Of The Architectural Symbols Of Spain, Built In The 2nd Century AD. Segovia City, Castilla Leon, Spain. Credit: Luis Martinez/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group 
Port And Temple Of Apollo. Side. Mediterrean Coast. Turkey. Credit: Giulio Andreini/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Roman Theater. Side. Mediterrean Coast. Turkey. Credit: Giulio Andreini/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Roman Theater. Side. Mediterrean Coast. Turkey. Credit: Giulio Andreini/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Tourists walk past a Turkish flag and a banner celebrating the founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kamal Ataturk towards the Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum) in Side ancient Roman city in Antalya Province, Turkey. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
A train carries tourists past the ruins of the amphitheater in the ancient Roman city at Side in Antalya Province, Turkey. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Tourists walk through the Monumental gate by the Vespasian monument as an electric buggy travels the other way at Side ancient Roman city in Turkey. The remains of the city, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, cover a wide area and are a site of significant cultural and historical importance. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Columns surrounding the site of the Temple of Tyche, the Greek goddess of luck or fortune (Roman equivalent Fortuna), at the ancient Roman city at Side in Turkey. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
A sign describing conservation work going on at the Monumental Fountain (Nymphaeum) within the ancient Roman city at Side in Turkey. Sign reads, Cultural and Tourism Ministry, Side Monumental Fountain Restoration. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
A view from the top of the steep ancient ampitheater within the Roman city at Side in Antalya Province, Turkey. The amphitheater, which dates to 2 AD, could seat up to 15,000 spectators and was used for a variety of events, including gladiator fights and theatrical performances. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
A sign marking the location of the Museum of Side in the ancient Roman city of the same name on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in Side, Antalya Province, Turkey. The museum is housed in the city’s Roman bath building and opened in 1962. Credit: Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Segovia, Spain, Roman aqueduct. Cobblestone street and square by the Roman aqueduct structure. People are in the distance sightseeing the international landmark. Credit: Roberto Machado Noa/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Roman Theatre. Dougga, Tunisia. Credit: Chris Bradley/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group 
The Capitol and Lower Town. Dougga, Tunisia. Credit: Chris Bradley/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group 
Aqueduct of Segovia. Segovia, Castile-Leon, Spain. Credit: Vic Schendel/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group 
Lebanon, Baalbek, archaeological site. Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Lebanon, Baalbek, archaeological site. Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Lebanon, Baalbek, archaeological site. Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Lebanon, Baalbek, archaeological site. Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Roman mosaic of goddess Diana in the House of Venus at Volubilis, excavated Berber-Roman city from ancient Mauretania near Meknes, Fez-Meknes, Morocco. Credit: Arterra/Marica van der Meer/Universal Images Group
The Roman Empire is long gone, but its impressive ruins and monuments still stand as reminders to its former power and glory and offer us a glimpse into the Roman civilization: their architectural and engineering prowess, their cultural and military achievements and their everyday life.
All images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing. Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-architecture/Construction