Apollodorus of Damascus () was an architect and engineer from Roman Syria, who flourished during the 2nd century AD. As an architect he authored several technical treatises, and his massive architectural output gained him immense popularity during his time. He is one of the few architects whose name survives from antiquity, and is credited with introducing several Eastern innovations to the Roman Imperial style, such as making the dome a standard. He is also known as Apollodorus Mechanicus.

Early life

Apollodorus was born in Damascus, Roman Syria. Modern sources refer to him as Nabatean, Hellenized Nabatean, Arab, or as Greek. Neither Cassius Dio nor Procopius, scholars and historians of antiquity, mention his origins when writing of him. Some scholars state the name Apollodorus to be a Hellenized form of Nabataean "Abdal" or "Abodat". before meeting future emperor Trajan in Damascus, then being summoned to Rome by him when he was a consul in 91 AD, after his twentieth birthday, and later accompanying him during the Second Dacian War in 105 AD.

Architectural works

Apollodorus was Trajan's favoured architect and engineer.

In Rome he designed and oversaw the construction of:

  • Trajan's Forum and Markets
  • Temple of Trajan
  • Trajan's Column (the first monument of its kind)

Outside the capital, Apollodorus designed the:

  • Trajan's Bridge across the Danube
  • Alconétar Bridge over the Tagus in Spain
  • triumphal arch of Trajan at Benevento
  • Arch of Trajan at Ancona.
  • Trajan's Trophy near Adamclisi, Romania

He is the author of Siege Engines (, Poliorcetica), dedicated to an unnamed emperor, likely Trajan.thumb|250px|The monumental [[Trajan's Bridge|Danube Bridge of Apollodorus. Apollodorus himself stands in the foreground behind the sacrificing emperor. He was known for his practical and robust designs. It was likely due to his influence that domes became a standard element in Roman architecture.

Death

Cassius Dio reports that Apollodorus offended Hadrian by dismissing and ridiculing the emperor's forays into architecture, which led to his banishment and death. many modern historians cast doubt on this event. According to the historian Jona Lendering, modern scholarship views the anecdote as unlikely to have occurred, due to Hadrian's preoccupation with far greater threats to his power early in his reign, and that the criticism Apollodorus proffered was acted upon.

See also

  • Trajan's Market
  • Trajan's Column
  • Temple of Trajan
  • Trajan's Bridge
  • Trajan's Forum
  • Pantheon, Rome

Notes

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References

Further reading

  • Grout, James (n.d.) "Apollodorus of Damascus". Roma: Essays on Roman Architecture. In the Encyclopædia Romana.