Even thought it was our first math class the class about arches has been my favorite. It is so amazing that using a simple way to build something could make it stand for so long. I cant imagine the buildings at home lasting as long as the buildings still left in Rome. I was interested to learn the secret of ancient Rome. When you look at the Coliseum there are arches all the way around it. Before coming here I thought that they did it because they liked the way I looked, I didn’t know it was to make it strong. These arches have withstood the test of time, they are much stronger and sturdier supports than other means of building such as columns.When columns are used the stress is put on one point. Over time the pressure takes its toll and the building starts to crumble. The reason arches work so well is because of the way they distribute the weight of the buildings. The keystone is essential to making the arch work, it is at the very top and takes the stress of the building and distributes it evenly down the arch, they share the work equally. The illustration below shows how this works.

Arches are the reason so many things around Rome are still standing. Romans did not invent the arch however; the idea was brought to them by the Etruscans. What the Romans did do was perfect the arch and incorporate it into the beauty of the structure. It started to become a central feature in Roman architecture, used in monuments, buildings and bridges. There are many different types of arches that can be used. The most simple of the arches is the barrel vault. During the gothic period the vaulted arches were popular, they helped support the heavy stone structures that were weakened by large windows.The vaulted is the best arch. A dome is the ultimate vaulted ceiling; the ring distributes all the weight.
Whenever someone comes to Rome I think they should pay attention to how many arches there really are in the old buildings. The aqueducts are a very good example also. Seeing how well the idea of the arch works makes me wonder why it is not done more at home. I think that more building should incorporate arches into their main support structure. Having a math class here has been more helpful than I thought it would be. It has helped me understand the reason behind the buildings. I have been very surprised how advanced their building style was. Math has given a better insight, not one everyone gets when they go to Rome so for that I have really appreciated the class.