Examples of Roman architecture survive today in large numbers across a wide geographical area and the combination of practicality and beauty continues to impress today's architects, designers and historians. Instead of examining individual building types, this fascinating guide looks at the principles behind Roman architectural design, considering buildings and monuments thematically. Well-illustrated chapters examine the mathematical and geometric ground rules of the buildings as well as the use of columns before finally examining two case studies, Trajan's Column and the Pantheon, where Roman architects and builders took design and construction to new levels. Illustrated throughout with photographs, many in colour, and elevations and plans which reconstruct exteriors, interiors and architectural principles.