The history of architecture is an important part of the Neolithic period (10,000-2000 BC), also called the New Stone Age. It was the final stage of cultural evolution or technological development among primitive humans. During this time, a massive development of material culture and new social solutions emerged. People could live together in communities, creating a new relationship between people and the environment. This period was characterized by new styles of individual structures and their combination to suit the new lifestyle and economy.

Ancient Greek and Roman architecture are known to be one of the most influential in the world. Greek architectural Classical way of building has been greatly influenced by the Western understanding of architecture and civilization. During 300 AD, ancient Greek culture flourished on the Greek mainland, on the Peloponnese, and the Aegean islands. Some of the most iconic Greek architecture include the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Greek architecture later served as inspiration for neoclassical architects during the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Greek architecture is also known for its temples. Typical examples are the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, both on the Acropolis. Ancient Greek temples usually consist of a base with continuous stairs of a few steps at each edge, a cella with a cult statue in it, columns, an entablature, and two pediments, one on the front side and another in the back. By the 4th century BC, Greek architects and stonemasons had developed a system of rules for all buildings known as the orders. They are the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. The Doric column is stout and basic, and the Ionic is slimmer and has four scrolls (called volutes) at the corners of the capital. The Corinthian column is similar to the Ionic one. However, the capital is completely different, decorated with acanthus leaves and four scrolls.

Roman architecture is also influential around the world. Ancient Rome architecture continues to be used and its legacy is evident in the modern era. A range of Roman temple types was developed during the republican years (509–27 BC), modified from Greek and Etruscan prototypes. The Romans expanded their territory through conquests. Wherever the Roman army conquered, they established towns and cities, spreading their empire and advancing their architectural and engineering achievements. The most outstanding works are known to be found in Italy. However, Roman builders also found creative outlets in the Western and Eastern provinces, of which the best examples preserved are in modern-day North Africa, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan. Some lavish architectural projects also emerged. Notable examples are the Arch of Septimius Severus in Leptis Magna built in 216 AD (present-day Libya), and the Arch of Caracalla in Thebeste, built in c.214 AD (present-day Algeria).

The Romans developed new engineering skills, architectural techniques, and materials that beat most civilizations of the time. Among the Roman architectural achievements were domes (created for temples), baths, villas, palaces, and tombs. The most famous example is that of the Pantheon in Rome. It is the largest surviving Roman dome with a large oculus at its center. Another relevant innovation is the rounded stone arch, used in arcades, aqueducts, and other structures.

In addition to the Greek orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian), the Romans invented two more- the Tuscan order and the Composite. The Tuscan order was influenced by the Doric, but with un-fluted columns and a simpler entablature with no triglyphs or guttae. The Composite on the other hand was a mixed order. It is a combination of the volutes of the Ionic order.

Because the Roman empire was formed from multiple nations and cultures, some buildings were a blend of Roman style and local tradition. Examples of such architecture are the Palmyra Arch, built in c.212–220 (present-day Syria). The Palmyra Arch has some of its arches embellished with a repeated band design consisting of four ovals within a circle around a rosette, which are of Eastern origin. Both the Greeks and the Romans built amphitheatres. The largest amphitheatre ever built is the Colosseum in Rome. It is an architecture that could hold around 50,000 spectators. Another iconic Roman structure that demonstrates their precision and technological advancement is the Pont du Gard in southern France, the highest surviving Roman aqueduct.

‘De architectura’

De architectura (“On Architecture”), c. 27 BCE is a treatise published by the Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. The 10-volume treatise contained relevant information which influenced architects around the world for centuries. As the only treatise on architecture to survive from antiquity, De architectura has been regarded since the renaissance as the first book on architectural theory, as well as a major source in the canon of classical architecture.

Trends in architecture were influenced, among other factors, by technological innovations, particularly in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The improved use of steel, cast iron, tile, reinforced concrete, and glass helped for example Art Nouveau appear and made Beaux-Arts more impressive.

REFERENCE

Information from https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-theatre/Renaissance-theatre#ref305905, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_architecture and https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/the-history-of-architecture was uesd in this story