The Best Preserved Buildings from Ancient Rome

One of the most tangible legacies of Ancient Rome is its architecture. Across the Mediterranean world, countless examples of Roman buildings survive that were constructed for a wide variety of purposes, including temples, theaters, and civic structures. Thanks to innovative Roman engineering techniques, durable building materials, and continued use over the centuries, many of these remarkable monuments remain surprisingly well preserved today.

One of the best preserved buildings from Ancient Rome is the world-famous Pantheon in the city of Rome itself. The current structure was completed around 125 CE during the reign of Emperor Hadrian and originally served as a temple dedicated to all the gods. Its dome remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and has influenced countless architectural projects throughout the Western world. The building owes its exceptional preservation largely to its conversion into a Christian church in the early seventh century, a role it continues to serve today.

Another less famous but equally well-preserved temple in Rome is the circular Temple of Hercules Victor. Built during the second century BCE, it is one of the oldest surviving marble buildings in the city. Its design reflects the growing influence of Greek culture on Roman architecture during the Late Republican period. Like the Pantheon and many other Roman temples, the structure was converted into a church during the Middle Ages, helping preserve it for future generations.

Although Rome is home to many of Ancient Rome’s most famous monuments, impressive examples of Roman architecture can also be found throughout the wider Mediterranean world. One such example is the Kiosk of Trajan in Egypt. Located on Philae, an island in the Nile River that was considered sacred to the goddess Isis, the structure was built by the Romans as an addition to an existing Egyptian temple complex. Remarkably, the building follows traditional Egyptian architectural styles rather than the classical Greek and Roman forms commonly associated with imperial architecture. Its columns feature Egyptian-style capitals, and one relief depicts Emperor Trajan dressed as a pharaoh while making offerings to Isis. This artwork demonstrates how Roman rule often adapted to local traditions rather than replacing them entirely.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is another remarkable example of a well-preserved Roman building outside Italy. Located on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens, the structure was completed in 161 CE by Herodes Atticus, a wealthy Greek aristocrat and Roman senator. Originally designed as a venue for musical performances, it could hold approximately 5,000 spectators. After extensive restoration during the twentieth century, the theater returned to use and continues to host performances today.

Together, these remarkably preserved buildings demonstrate the innovation, adaptability, and lasting influence of Roman architecture throughout the ancient world.

Bibliography

• Arnold, Dieter. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egyptian Architecture. Princeton University Press, 2003.
• Camp, John M. The Archaeology of Athens. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001.
• Claridge, Amanda. Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2010.
• Coarelli, Filippo. Rome and Environs: An Archaeological Guide. University of California Press, 2014.
• Smarthistory. “The Pantheon, Rome.”
   https://smarthistory.org/the-pantheon/
• Smarthistory. “The Temple of Hercules Victor, Rome.”
  https://smarthistory.org/temple-of-hercules-victor/